THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

Biology 

GIFT  OF 

Mlton  Sturgis 


THE 


PHILOSOPHY   OF   MEDICINE, 

DEDUCED  FROM  ANALYZING 


CONSTITUTION   OF    MAN, 


LEGITIMATE  STRUCTURE  AND  ACTION. 


BY  EZEKIEL  WEBB,   M.  D. 


SECOND    EDITION, 


WITH  THB  ADDITION  OF 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS, 

FULLY    DEVELOPING    BOTH    THE    LEGITIMATE    PRINCIPLES    PERTAINING    TO    THE 
FUILOSOPHT    OF    MEDICINE    AND    CONSTITUTION    OF    HUMAN    NATURE  ; 

AND 

AN    APPENDIX, 

COKTAIKINO    BOHR    07   THE     PRINCIPAL    COROLLARIES,    CONSKQUKNTIAL   TO   THE    PRBMIBBI, 
8DPP0RT1NO    BOTH   THB    TKXT   AND  INTRODDOTION. 


NEW  YORK: 

PRINTED    FOR    THE    AUTHOR. 
1834. 


Entered,  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1834,  by 

MOORE     &    PAYNE, 

In  the  Cleric's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  ihe  Southern  District  of 
the  State  of  New  York. 


TUE 

FOLLOWING    WORK    AND    ITS   INTRODUCTION, 

UNFOLDING    TO   INTUITIVE  DEMONSTRATION, 

NOT  ONLY  THE 

PHILOSOPHif    OF   MEDICINE  IN  PARTICULAR, 

BUT 

OF  HUMAN  NATURE  IN  GENERAL: 

ARE  RESPBCTFCLLY  AND  CONFIDKNTLV  ADDRESSED 

TO  xMEDICAL  PHILOSOPHERS, 

FOR  JUDICIOUS    INVESTIGATION  : 


BY  THEIR  OBEDIENT  SERVANT, 

THE    AUTHOR, 


570 


ERRATA. 

IN  PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS, 

Page  22,  line  17,  for  veitable  read  veritable. 

IN  APPENDIX, 

Page  9,  line  17,  for  medical  read  medial. 

"    11,  line  32,  for  assimilationa  read  assimilation. 


PRELIMINARY     OBSERVATIONS 


The  remarks  now  to  be  made  are  for  the  purpose,  not  only  of  unfolding 
more  fully  the  general  principles  supporting  the  following  Philosophy,  but 
likewise  to  proclaim  that  it  must  be  exclusively  through  the  legitimate  re- 
cognition and  appreciation  of  such  principles,  that  mankind  can  ever  reach 
the  great  Philosophy  of  Human  Nature,  in  its  most  extensive  and  com- 
prehensive sense  considered. 

We  present  these  principles,  first,  to  the  consideration  o?  Medical  Phi- 
losophers, because  they  alone,  of  all  the  talented  amongst  men,  are  to  be 
considered  as  qualified  to  reveal  to  the  world  the  legitimate  basis  on 
which  the  Philosophy  of  all  Knowledge  must  be  erected. 

It  is  impossible  to  reach  the  Physiology  of  the  total  nature  of  the  Hu- 
man Constitution,  without  reaching  the  total  Physiology  pertaining  to 
all  the  creations  supporting  it. 

Of  all  the  Literati  in  the  world,  the  Medical  Physiologist  alone  has  an 
appreciable  foundation  for  analyzing  man  to  legitimacy,  through  deductive 
and  inductive  research.  All  other  philosophers  are  driven  to  interminable 
speculations  on  the  baseless  fabrics  of  the  visions  of  mysticisms — never 
conducting  them  to  the  condensation  of  knowledge  that  can  be  appreciated 
by  the  legitimate  faculties  inherent  in  the  constitution  of  man. 

We  consequently  address  our  exertions  to  unfold  the  great  Outlines  of 
the  Philosophy  of  Nature  to  the  Medical  Profession — alone  qualified  to 
estimate  their  merit  or  demerit. 

We  commence,  therefore,  with  observing,  that  because  the  philosophy 
of  medicine  has,  with  more  or  less  assiduousness,  been  so  repeatedly 
sought  for  and  not  found,  it  does  not  legitimately  follow  that  it  is  to  be 
considered  as  unattainable. 

Although  the  most  of  those  who  have  been  and  are  now  engaged  in  the 
study  and  practice  of  medicine,  appear  to  have  arrived  at  the  conclusion 
that  the  philosophy  of  their  science  was  beyond  reach;  and  although,  in 
all  ages,  the  many  have  primarily  commended,  in  greater  or  less  degree, 
the  exertions  of  those  who  endeavored  to  unfold  it ;  yet  they  have  ulti- 
mately  most  unceremoniously  criticised  their  doctrines,  consigned  them 
to  oblivion,  and  renounced  the  hope  of  ever  seeing  their  science  honored 
with  its  true  philosophy. 


VI  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

Now,  although  it  be  true  that  all  the  systems  of  the  philosophies  of  the 
medical  sciences,  which  have  been  presented  to  the  profession  for  recog- 
nition, have  justly  failed  to  produce  conviction  in  toto,  does  it  legitimately 
follow,  from  such  failures,  that  they  must  be  considered  beyond  acqui- 
sition ■?  No.  Let  the  talented  members  of  the  pi-ofession  release  them- 
selves from  the  prejudices  which  they  have  imbibed  from  education,  and 
carried  to  confirmation  by  practice — study  and  think  for  themselves — and 
they  will  soon  conclude  that  this  philosophy  may  be  reached  through  the 
legitimate  exercise  of  their  reasoning  powers.  They  will  then  soon  re- 
ject the  treacherous  dogmatism  of  the  schools,  and  free  themselves  from 
the  pernicious  consequences  of  practising  the  noblest  of  all  the  sciences 
in  blind  obedience  to  their  erroneous  dictation.  And  they  will  soon  be 
convinced,  that  of  all  knowledge  in  the  power  of  man  to  acquire,  none 
can  be  justly  considered  as  surpassing  in  utility  that  which  legitimately 
constitutes  the  Philosophy  of  Medicine. 

This  will  not  be  denied  by  medical  philosophers,  because  they  will 
immediately  see,  that  to  reach  such  philosophy,  they  must  reach,  both  in 
structure  and  operation,  the  whole  nature  of  the  constitution  of  man  ;  and 
consequently,  reach  the  true  basis  on  which  the  acquisition  of  all  know- 
ledge must  be  founded.  Medical  philosophers  will  thus  see,  that  it  is 
their  exclusive  province  to  reveal  the  true  ground  of  philosophizing  ;  in- 
deed, it  must  be  self-evident  to  them,  that  none  but  those  scientifically  en- 
gaged in  investigating  the  nature  of  the  human  constitution,  from  its  re- 
productive state  till  its  extinction  in  time, — none  but  those  scientifically 
engaged  in  the  study  and  practice  of  medicine, — can  possibly  elicit  such 
revelation. 

Although  medical  pliilosophers  must  inevitably  admit  these  truisms,  yet 
it  is  worthy  of  observation,  that  nearly  all  the  professed  philosophers, 
both  amongst  the  ancients  and  moderns,  have  totally  neglected  to  study 
and  exercise  their  faculties  in  such  easy  and  natural  manner  as  would  in- 
evitably have  conducted  them  to  these  important  recognitions.  Deserting 
the  plainest  suggestions  of  nature,  they  have  interminably  luxuriated  in 
the  wildest  hypotheses  of  mysticism,  and  thereby  enveloped  in  darkness 
not  only  the  naturally  moral  and  religious  nature  of  man,  but  prevented 
likewise  the  legitimate  recognition  of  such  nature,  as  revealed  and  con- 
firmed to  mankind  by  the  divine  herald  of  their  salvation — Jesus  Christ. 

Although  some  of  the  ancient  sages  appear  to  have  recognised  the  ne- 
cessity of  man's  studying  his  own  nature,  and  to  have  inculcated  the  im- 
portance of  such  study  through  Uie  inscriptions  of  such  apothems  on 
their  temples  as  "Know  thyself,"  &c.,  yet  they  do  not  appear  to  have 
realized  in  any  measure  the  absolute  necessity  and  importance  of  studying 
it  in  any  material  sense  considered  as  indispensably  necessary  to  the 
attainment  of  such  knowledge.     And  although  some  of  our  modern  phi- 


PRELIMINARY    OllSERVATlONS.  vil 

losophers  have  inculcated  the  necessity  of  acquiring  tlic  legitimate  know- 
ledge of  the  nature  of  man,  and  though  Bacon  has  directed  them,  in  ge- 
neral terms,  into  the  path  which  he  considered  necessary  to  be  pursued 
for  reaching  it,  yet  neither  he  or  any  of  his  followers  have  indicated  the 
necessity  of  studying  the  organization  of  man  materially,  for  the  impor- 
tant purposes  of  unfolding  its  intellectual  and  moral  powers  of  action. 
And  although  a  few  of  the  medical  philosophers  of  modern  time,  and 
others  embracing  their  opinions,  have  endeavored  to  base  the  philosophy 
of  man  on  the  operations  of  his  physical  organization,  yet  they  have  in- 
variably failed  to  produce  convictioo.  They  have  failed,  because  their  philo- 
sophical positions  were  totally  repugnant  to  those  entertained  by  the  mystic 
psycologists  and  religionists  who  exercised  unlimited  dominion  over  the 
opinions  and  consciences  of  men  in  general,  and  consequently  anathema- 
tized all  doctrines  contrary  to  their  own,  and  branded  their  supporters 
with  advocating  not  only  materialism,  but  atheism,  pantheism,  &c. ;  and 
as  they  were,  and  still  are,  the  legitimized  censors  of  morals  and  religions, 
and  dictators  exclusively  of  the  principles  to  be  put  in  requisition,  for 
sovereignizing  both  churches  and  states,  it  is  no  wonder  that  they  have 
uniformly  failed  to  produce  conviction.  It  is  true,  that  the  several  phy- 
sical bases  of  philosophizing  which  they  endeavored  to  establish,  could 
not  have  been  maintained  or  rendered  productive  of  much  improvement 
in  the  science  of  man,  because  they  were  severally  more  or  less  errone- 
ous ;  but  it  is  also  true,  that  if  such  philosophers  could  have  been  permit- 
ted to  progress,  unimpeded  by  the  scholastic  jargon  of  the  metaphysi- 
cians, they  would  long  since  have  reached  the  only  legitimate  basis  of 
philosophizing,  and  the  unintelligible  subtleties  inevitably  attaching  to  the 
dark  and  mystic  doctrines  of  spirituality,  would  have  been  banished  from 
the  world  by  the  bright  sunshine  of  inductive  research.  Since  the  fall  of 
man,  this  mystic  philosophy  of  idealism  has  been  more  or  less  prevalent 
throughout  the  world — as  all  the  metaphysics  of  the  heathen  nations  are 
but  corruptions  derived  from  the  primordiate  stock  of  Christianity ;  and  it  is 
needless  to  say,  that  such  visionary  philosophizing  will  ever  empower  even 
the  wisest  of  mankind,  to  study  the  science  of  human  nature  to  its  legitimate 
results.  The  moralizing  and  religionizing  speculations  arising  from  these 
fallacious  philosophies,  furnish  both  churches  and  states  with  all  their 
knowledge  and  wisdom,  and  are  consequently  acting  successfully  as  im- 
pediments to  the  acquisition  of  the  true  and  only  principles,  which  can 
direct  mankind  universally  to  the  realization  of  true  knowledge,  virtue, 
and  happiness  here,  and  for  ever.  That  mankind  are  far  short  of  having 
reached  the  legitimate  philosophy  for  effecting  these  desirable  results,  the 
history  of  the  race,  through  all  ages  to  the  present  time,  affords  woful 
and  melancholy  proof;  and  the  religionizing  and  moralizing  operations  of 
•all  the  philanthropists  now  enlisted  in  the  great  cause  of  improving  the 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS. 


human  race,  must  beyond  contradiction  be  considered  as  confirmatory  of 
this  fact.  For,  at  no  period  of  our  race  have  greater  exertions  been  made 
for  rendering  men  wiser  and  better,  and  for  preparing  them  for  present 
and  future  happiness,  than  are  now  making,  and  have  been  made,  for  many 
years  past,  by  many  of  the  wisest  and  best  men  amongst  the  Christian 
nations  of  tlie  earth  engaged  in  diffusing  the  incomparable  blessings  of 
religion  :  and  what  are  now,  or  what  have  been,  or  are  likely  to  be,  the 
fruits  of  their  philanthropic  exertions  1  Let  the  sad  prevalence  and  in- 
crease of  crime  amongst  the  nations,  and  the  deplorable  physical  and  con- 
sequently moral  and  political  degeneracy  of  the  human  race,  even  as  ex- 
emplified in  our  own  boasted  country  of  freedom,  respond  to  this  question. 
Is  not  experience  in  our  own  country  rapidly  proving  to  us,  that  under  the 
prevalent  metaphysical  system  of  philosophizing,  in  proportion  to  the 
liberty  with  which  men  are  privileged,  in  such  proportion  will  their  lower 
propensities  to  action  predominate,  and  luxury,  and  every  species  of  licen- 
tiousness, prevail  1  And  is  it  not  a  lamentable  fact,  that  the  demorahzing 
consequences  which  have  been  experienced  from  importing  and  imitating 
the  frivolities  and  licentiousness  of  Christian  Europe,  in  addition  to  those 
of  our  own  manufacture,  have  well  nigh  driven  all  manly  and  virtuous 
patriotism  from  the  world  ? 

Does  not  such  woful  degeneracy,  occurring  under  the  full  dominion  of 
the  metaphysical  philosophy,  wielded  by  the  united  wisdom  of  the  age, 
prove  that  the  great  affairs  of  education  and  government  must  be  errone- 
ously grounded  ?  This  subject  is  fruitful  of  important  consideration  be- 
yond the  possibility  of  exhaustion,  and  inevitably  elicits  the  conviction, 
that  all  the  powers  and  faculties  inherent  and  inevitably  operative  in  the 
constitution  of  man,  which  render  him  a  philosophizing,  moral,  and  reli- 
gious being,  eminently  lack  legitimate  philosophy — the  indispensable  pre- 
cursor to  true  religion — to  direct  the  desires  and  affections  of  men  to  such 
action  as  may  conform  to  the  monitions  of  their  intellectual  and  reflecting 
faculties. 

The  metaphysical  philosophies  being  thus  predicated  on  the  visionary 
doctrine  of  spirituality,  considered  as  being  directly  emanative  from  Deity 
to  and  into  all  human  beings  at  some  period  or  other  during  their  existence 
in  time,  for  the  great  purpose  of  endowing  them  with  their  respective 
souls  for  directing  the  operations  of  their  material  organizations  to  the 
production  of  moral  and  religious  sentiments  and  actions,  must  be  aban- 
doned. Improvement  to  much  extent  cannot  with  any  reason  be  expected 
to  arise  from  this  doctrine  of  idealism,  which  immediately  transports  its 
devotees  into  the  clouds,  to  be  buffeted  by  the  currents  and  counter  cur- 
rents of  atmospherical  vibration,  to  the  prevention  of  affording  them  any 
stable  equilibrium  for  exercising  their  faculties  to  the  production  of  such 
virtuous  action,  as  concerns  their  highest  and  best  interests  here  and  for 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  IX 

ever.  Mankind  in  general  will  never  repose  sufficient  confidence  in  it, 
because  belief  in  it  is  neither  required  or  warranted  by  Deity,  through  any 
of  the  lights  which  he  has  afforded  us  of  his  will  through  our  nature  or 
his  revelation.  His  scriptures  no  where  command  men  to  believe  in  ab- 
surdities and  incomprehensibilities.  Such  belief  is  utterly  irreconcilable 
with  the  inevitable  nature  of  man,  made  by  Deity  after  his  own  image,  and 
consequently  empowered  to  form  volitions  to  action,  approaching  in  purity 
to  his  own. 

Who  will  deny  this  statement,  that  philosophy,  since  the  fall  of  man, 
has  consisted  of  more  or  less  mystic  aggregation  of  visionary  speculation, 
and  that  all  education  in  morals,  religions,  and  governments,  has  been 
exclusively  erected  on  the  visionary  dictations  thence  arising,  and  va- 
riously operative  in  different  Christian  and  Pagan  countries  from  variant 
interpretation,  but  without  exhibiting  radical  deviation]  Who  will  deny 
that  this  metaphysical  philosophy  is  still  dominatively  operative  to  the 
production  and  regulation  of  all  our  knowledge  1  Who  will  deny,  that  to 
such  extent  as  man  can  reach  knowledge,  and  practise  virtue,  the  current 
creed  of  mysticism  proclaims  that  it  cannot  be  effected  in  any  other  way 
than  by  and  through  spiritual  emanation  from  Deity ,!acting  abstractedly  from 
the  material  constitution  1  But  that  this  is  erroneous  philosophy,  and  that 
it  has  kept  the  world  in  ignorance  and  iniquity  through  all  time,  has  been 
made  manifest  by  the  inductive  researches  of  several  distinguished  inves- 
tigators of  the  medical  sciences  lately  directed  to  the  structure  and  opera- 
tion of  the  material  organization  ;  and  by  none  more  ably  than  by  Gall  and 
Spurzheim,  and  their  followers.  We  do  not  advocate  phrenology  to  such  ^ 
extent  as  these  men  have  carried  it ;  but  it  must  be  admitted,  that  by  a  beauT^ 
tiful  train  of  inductive  reasoning,  they  have  incontrovertibly  proved,  that  \ 
all  our  mental  phenomena  are  elicited  by  the  brain,  the  perfection  of  or-_j 
ganization.  But  they  have  proved  this  important  position  without  recog- 
nising the  beautiful  scries  of  causes  that  are  variously  but  harmoniously 
operative  in  and  throughout  the  constitution  of  man,  to  the  production  of 
such  perfection  of  structure  and  action  in  the  brain,  as  causes  it  to  elicit 
these  mental  phenomena ;  and  they  have,  in  a  radical  sense  considered, 
proved  this  also,  without  denying  the  agency  of  spirituality  in  the  produc- 
tion of  the  soul ; — as  if  they  were  fearful  of  committing  sacrilege  by 
barely  questioning  the  validity  of  the  mystic  doctrine  of  spirituality.  But 
it  is  consolatory  to  know  that  the  philosophical  doctrines  of  mysticism, 
which  have  operated  to  the  enslavement  and  degradation  of  the  human 
species  throughout  the  earth,  were  not  necessarily  derived  from  Deity 
through  our  own  creation,  or  any  of  his  revelations.  They  originated  in 
man  himself  througli  the  perversion  of  his  own  reasoning  powers,  by  re- 
peated infringements  of  the  laws  of  his  nature.  Deity  created  man  with 
ample  powers  for  correctly  compreliending  and  enjoying  the  beauteous 


X  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

felicities  of  holiness,  and  at  the  same  time  enjoined  on  his  observance  but 
one  restriction  intended  to  keep  him  in  the  path  of  felicity  here  and  for 
ever  ; — viz,  that  he  should  not  taste  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life.  This 
restriction  was  inculcated  on  man  for  the  great  purpose  of  keeping  liim  in 
his  proper  sphere  of  action,  that  he  might  exercise  his  faculties  legiti- 
mately to  acquire  knowledge  and  practise  virtue,  for  the  enjoyment  of  his 
own  proper  felicity  in  time,  without  attempting  to  reach  the  knowledge  of 
the  creative  power  of  Omnipotence.  This  primal  lesson  from  Deity  con- 
tained the  total  category  of  man's  duties  to  his  Creator,  to  himself,  and 
his  own  species  :  for  it  is  to  be  remarked,  that  man  at  his  -creation  re- 
ceived incontrovertible  evidence  of  the  existence  of  Deity,  and  of  his 
divine  attributes  of  benevolence  and  good  will  to  him,  by  teaching  the 
manner  in  which  lie  should  exercise  his  faculties  for  learning  and  prac- 
tising his  duties,  and  leading  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  happiness  here  and 
for  ever,  by  keeping  his  aspii'ations  after  knowledge  and  wisdom  within  the 
boundaries  prescribed  to  him  through  the  legitimate  exercise  of  his  rea- 
soning powers.  Surely  the  woful  history  of  the  human  race  consequent 
on  transgressing  the  commandments  of  this  primal  lesson,  and  of  all  those 
contained  in  the  lessons  since  received  through  revelation,  proves  the  ne- 
cessity of  man's  duly  appreciating  the  sad  causes  and  consequences  of  his 
fall,  that  he  may,  through  the  legitimate  recognition  and  exercise  of  the 
noble  faculties  implanted  in  his  constitution  by  Deity,  recover  the  inno-  - 
cency  and  happiness  of  his  primitive  creation.  Surely  the  revelation  of 
Jesus  Christ  unfolds  fully,  but  nothing  more  nor  less,  than  what  the  pow- 
ers of  human  nature,  when  legitimately  understood,  and  exercised  in  con- 
formity with  its  divine  precepts,  are  capable  of  rejoicingly  performing,  and 
thereby  regaining  its  primeval  condition  of  innocency  and  happiness.  It 
is  impossible  to  examine  the  fruits  of  this  divine  revelation  without  recog- 
nising the  indispensable  necessity  of  man's  being  regenerated  and  disen- 
thralled from  the  pernicious  consequences  of  illegitimate  education  erected 
on  a  mystic  and  fallacious  philosophy  of  his  nature.  But  the  absurd  and 
visionary  notions  which,  in  one  shape  or  other,  have  been  diffused  through- 
out the  world  since  the  fall  of  man,  by  predicating  all  knowledge  and  ac- 
tion on  the  visionary  and  unappreciable  dictations  of  the  metaphysical 
philosophies,  is  inexhaustible  of  important  observation  and  reflection.  In 
this  introduction,  we  can  give  this  great  subject  but  slight  discussion  ;  but 
for  the  reasons  already  given,  and  others  that  may  occur,  we  now  observe, 
that  we  have  in  the  following  work  not  only  unfolded  the  legitimate  philo- 
sophy of  medicine,  but  likewise  exhibited  to  palpable  view  the  powers  in- 
herent  and  operative  in  the  constitution  of  man,  which  can  alone  enable 
him  to  reach  all  the  legitimate  knowledge  pertaining  to  every  other  science. 
We  have  revealed  such  powers,  and  proved  them  to  be  inevitably  opera- 
tive when  not  perverted  by  ideal  philosophy,  as  will  enable  men  to  detect 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  XI 

the  errors  which  have  ensued  iVoiu  tlie  long  prevalence  of  sucli  philoso- 
phy, and  rec6gniso  the  glittering-  elViilgences  of  truth  which  have  been  eli- 
cited by  superior  minds  emancipating  themselves  from  the  thraldom  of 
metaphysical  dogmatism,  and  thinking  for  themselves  in  obedience  to  na- 
ture's commandments. 

We  cannot,  therefore,  reach  the  legitimate  philosophy  of  medicine, 
without  recognising  that  we  have  thereby  reached  such  knowledge  of  the 
constitution,  as  must  be  put  under  legitimate  requisition,  for  reaching  the 
philosophy  of  all  the  other  sciences.  And  we  are  confident  that  our 
brethren  of  the  profession  by  studyingnature's  laws,  under  the  legitimate 
guidance  and  exercise  of  nature's  faculties,  will  realize  the  same  conclu- 
sions ; — because  nature's  faculties  are  radically  the  same  now  as  they 
always  have  been  and  ever  will  be,  during  our  stay  in  time ; — and  when 
exercised  in  conformity  with  the  legitimate  philosophy  of  organization, 
will  always  lead  to  similar  results,  under  similar  circumstances,  in  healthy 
constitutions  under  appropriate  education.  But  siich  have  never  been  the 
effects  of  the  metaphysical  philosophies  vnuler  their  wisest  administra- 
tions, and  never  will  be,  for  it  is  self-evident,  that  no  philosophy  except 
that  which  conclusively  and  incontrovertibly  settles  the  science  of  the 
human  constitution  on  its  legitimate  basis,  can  ultimately  prevail  and 
become  ultimately  operative  in  meliorating  the  condition  of  mankind 
universally.  Under  the  present  administrations  of  the  metaphysical  phi- 
losophies, and  the  education  and  government  consequential  to  their  ope- 
ration, no  portion  of  the  hmnan  race  is  to  appearance  materially  bene- 
fited, except  that  which  exhibits  the  phrenic  department  of  the  organiza- 
tion favorably  formed  for  inevitably  developing  the  moral  sentiments  and 
intellectual  faculties  with  unusual  vigor  of  action,  and  such  are  a  law 
unto  themselves. 

Now  although  man  through  the  spontaneous  operation  of  the  faculties 
which  Deity  has  given  him,  be  a  philosophizing,  moral  and  religious  being, 
as  evinced  during  childhood,  even  in  the  savage  condition  of  the  race ; — 
yet  he  has  never  studied  his  organization  to  any  successful  effect,  with  the 
express  view  of  discovering  through  what  powers  inherent  in  it, — it  was 
rendered  thus  inevitably  operative.  All  men  when  disenthralled  from  the 
scepticism  inevitably  attaching  to  ideal  philosophy,  spontaneously  recog- 
nise that  every  portion  of  creation  is  irresistibly  prolific  in  evidences  of 
Deity.  The  most  uneducated  and  unsophisticated  human  being,  with 
sound  organization  points  with  the  rapidity  of  intuition  to  the  moss  on 
the  rocks  of  the  arctic  regions,  as  readily  as  he  does  to  the  loftiest  cedars 
of  Lebanon,  for  evidence  of  a  Divinity  to  love,  adore  and  worship. 

Now  if  man  in  his  primordiate  condition  of  simplicity,  be  thus  inevita- 
bly engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  good  and  the  eschewing  of  evil, — in  the 
recognition  and  performance  of  mural  and  religious  duties,  have  we  not 


Xll  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

proof  conclusive,  that  in  searching  for  the  philosophy  of  human  action, 
we  should  direct  our  studies  for  discovering  and  analyzing  the  causes 
which  render  the  constitution  in  itself  considered  thus  productive  of  these 
goodly  operations  1 

And,  if  man  was  created  after  the  image  of  his  Creator,  and  consequent- 
ly endowed  with  powers  for  acting  in  conformity  with  his  will — is  it  not 
legitimate  to  conclude  that  a  construction  thus  derived  must  be  in  itself 
considered,  thus  operative  1 — and  therefore  that  the  true  ground  of  phi- 
losophizing must  be  sought  for  in  such  construction,  and  the  inevitable 
operations  pertaining  to  if?  The  legitimacy  of  such  conclusion  is  indeli- 
bly sanctioned  by  the  majestic  constructor  of  all  the  creations  ; — and  we 
shall  find  that  such  conclusion  after  developing  generally  and  specially 
the  reasons  to  be  seen,  and  unavoidably  recognised,  in  the  construction 
and  operations  of  the  organization  for  arriving  at  it, — is  far  more  copi- 
ously elicitive  of  our  admiration  of  the  divine  power  and  goodness — as 
exemplified  in  all  the  wonderful  adaptations  of  the  human  powers,  to  the 
reception  and  elaboration  of  all  the  vivifying  influences  in  the  creations, 
which  are  necessary  to  make  man  a  being  for  the  enjoyment  of  mortal 
and  immortal  felicity, — than  all  the  visionary  picturings  that  ever  have 
or  can  be  engendered  under  the  sublimating  influences  of  the  speculative 
philosophies. 

"  Knowledge  is  power,"  true — How  necessary  therefore  that  it  should 
be  grounded  on  true  philosophy,  which  can  alone  regenerate  the  fallen 
world. 

Do  the  ministers  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  pretend  to  believe  that  under 
the  reign  of  their  metaphysical  philosophy,  mankind  will  ever  be  prevailed 
on  universally  to  adopt  and  practise  the  virtuous  and  eternal  life  saving 
precepts  inculcated  in  it? 

Do  they  believe  that  they  will  ever  be  able  to  enlist  mankind  under  the 
banners  of  their  metaphysical  spiritualism,  and  lead  them  universally  to 
millennial  felicity  1 

The  truth  is,  that  no  creed  of  ideality  which  inculcates  and  enforces 
the  observance  of  dogmas,  that  cannot  be  comprehended  by  the  faculties  of 
man,  will  ever  command  such  universal  credence,  as  must  be  considered 
indispensably  necessary  to  operate  such  godly  consequences. 

Universal  faith  in  legitimate  philosophy,  can  alone  produce  such  delecta- 
ble effects,  and  it  never  will  be  predicated  on  the  incomprehensibilities  of 
metaphysical  spiritualism. 

We  do  not  deny  but  that  under  the  reign  of  fallacious  philosophy,  the 
great  truths,  both  of  natural  and  revealed  religion  may  be  comprehended 
and  faithfully  practised,  by  those  favored  mortals,  whose  constitutions  are 
so  constructed  as  to  inevitably  develop  the  moral  and  intellectual  powers 
in  super-eminent  degree. 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  XIJl 

But,  \vc  deny  most  unequivocally,  that  all  those  who  are  organized  in 
such  manner  as  to  present  their  lower  faculties,  either  more  or  less  pre- 
dominent  over  their  superior,  will  ever  either  believe  or  practise  the  pre- 
ceipts  of  morality  and  religion,  under  the  dominion  of  Ideal  philosophy. 

The  fundamental  principles  of  phrenology  are  indisputably  true — they 
were  super-eminently  true  before  the  fall  of  man — and  notwithstanding 
the  repeated  transgressions  of  nature's  ISws  throughout  the  world,  ever 
since,  they  have  always  been  recognised  by  most  of  the  great  and  good 
men  of  the  earth,  in  all  ages. 

Therefore,  if  all  mankind  could  be  brought  under  the  dominion  of  the 
legitimate  philosophy  of  human  nature,  deduced  from  examining  through 
all  observation  and  experiment,  the  inherent  and  inevitably  operative 
powers  of  its  constitution,  when  unpervertedby  the  sophistical  reasonings 
consequent  to  ideal  philosophy  ; — they  would  then,  universally  and  ine- 
vitably recognise  the  practice  of  virtue,  to  constitute  their  highest  and 
best  interests  here  and  for  ever  ; — and  all  their  desires  and  affections  would 
irresistibly  lead  them  to  the  formation  of  such  pleasurable  and  duteous 
volitions  to  action,  as  would  ultimately  result  in  universal  felicity.  Then 
would  be  realized  the  universal  reign  of  happiness  throughout  the  world, 
as  depicted  by  the  eminently  talented  metaphysician — Bishop  Butler. 

Upon  this  great  subject  we  are  positive — not  dogmatic, — when  we  re- 
peat, that  men  under  the  reign  of  the  true  philosophy  of  their  nature, 
would  not  form  their  volitions  to  the  transgression  of  its  commandments, 
if  they  were  positively  convinced  that  such  transgressions  would  inevita- 
bly bring  upon  them  misery  here,  and  if  persisted  in, — misery  for  ever. 

From  all  the  considerations  suggested  by  examining  this  important  sub- 
ject, we  derive  unanswerable  reasons  for  concluding,  that  if  all  human 
beings  could  be  educated^ to  the  recognition  of  the  great  truth  ; — that  their 
constitutions  were  exclusively  receptive  of  physical  stimuli,  and  elabo- 
rative  of  them  to  the  powers  of  performing  all  the  thoughts  and  actions 
constituting  the  sum  total  of  vitality,  as  manifested  during  the  whole  his- 
tory of  human  formation  and  existence  in  time  ; — they  would  not  only 
conclude  that  their  organizations  were  material  in  composition,  but  ma- 
terial in  all  their  movements,  from  the  reception  and  elaboration  of  food 
and  other  appropriate  stimuli,  to  the  full  development  of  all  their  mental 
phenomena,  constituting  them  rational,  and  responsible,  and  immortal 
beings. 

Physiologists  must,  therefore,  unfold  to  the  view  of  legislators,  the  con- 
stituent principles  to  be  put  in  requisition  for  educating  mankind  scien- 
tifically, to  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  that  will  inevitably  and  exult- 
ingly  lead  them  to  the  practice  of  all  the  virtues,  necessary  to  confirm 
their  happiness  in  time — for  eternity.  Physiologists  are  rapidly  advancing 
to  the  recognition  of  such  constituent  principles,  but  will  never  reach  them 


XIV  PRKLIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS. 

to  their  fully  scientific  extent,  until  they  abandon  their  insulated  manner 
of  analyzing  the  several  departments  of  the  constitution  into  their  com- 
ponent elements,  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  the  great  principle  of 
vitality  which  actuates  the  organization  as  a  whole  ; — for  such  researches, 
for  such  purposes,  (however  useful  they  may  be  for  others,)  are  vain  and 
illusive,  and  will  never  lead  them  to  the  great  and  total  truth.  The  con- 
stituent elements  of  no  things  or  beings,  can  be  reached  by  the  finite 
powers  pertaining  to  the  soul  of  man.  The  true  philosophy  of  soul,  pre- 
scribes and  limits  the  powers  of  man,  both  in  the  acquisition  and  practical 
application  of  knowledge,  and  disclaims  as  visionary  and  fruitless,  all 
attempts  towards  reaching  a  knowledge  of  the  component  essences  con- 
stituting any  portion  of  the  creations  of  Deity  :  and  such  visionary  aspi- 
rations would  never  have  been  entertained  for  a  moment,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  any  other  than  the  idealizing  creeds  of  philosophy. 

The  true  philosophy  of  man  is  exclusively  enclosed  in  his  own  con- 
stitution, and  the  laws  which  regulate  and  continue  it  in  time,  to  pre- 
pare it  for  eternity,  are  inherent  and  inevitably  operative  in  it,  through 
nervous  power  exclusively,  as  unfolded  and  illustrated  in  the  following 
Treatise. 

All  the  creations  of  Deity  within  bur  cognizance,  were  made  for  the 
sovereignty  of  man,  or  of  beings  generically  similar  to  him  ;  and  they  are 
all  governed  and  continued  in  being  by  a  few  simple  and  general  laws, 
developing  through  their  primary  operations,  all  the  stimulating  influences 
which  are  necessary  through  the  different  collocations  and  dispositions  of 
the  different  materials  composing  them,  to  produce  all  the  different  com- 
binations and  modifications  for  constituting  them  whole  and  perfect  crea- 
tions, in  such  sense  as  Deity  determined  that  they  should  ultimately  reach, 
through  the  continued  operation  of  these  laws,  for  the  great  purpose  of 
preparing  them  for  the  creation  and  residence  of  reasonable  beings,  des- 
tined for  progressive  advance  to  perfection  in  time  and  eternity.  Whether 
all  the  creations  destined  for  the  formation  and  habitation  of  rational  ex- 
istences, be  yet  sufficiently  matured  for  these  great  purposes,  may  for 
many  reasons  be  made  matter  of  question  ; — but  we  know  that  there  is  a 
general  analogy  and  harmony  pervading  them,  not  only  as  to  the  primary 
laws,  by  and  through  the  agency  of  which  they  are  governed,  but  likewise 
as  to  the  varied  combinations  arising  from  the  operation  of  these  primary 
laws,  and  acting  in  subservience  to  them,  for  the  production  of  such  a 
series  of  generic  and  specific  effects,  as  are  necessary  to  ultimately  con- 
stitute and  show  them  into  their  respective  wholes.  The  laws  of  motion 
and  gravity »,by  and  through  which  Deity  governs  the  immense  masses  of 
matter  composing  his  universal  creations,  manifest  numerous  combinations 
and  modifications  that  are  to  much  extent  cognizable  and  appreciable  by 
man  ;  and  they  are  all  recognised  to  be  thus  operative,  in  perfect  unison 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  XV 

and  concert  to  the  production  of  an  incommensurable  system  of  systems, 
of  worlds. 

The  proper  study  of  mankind,  therefore,  is  not  only  of  man  himself, 
but  of  the  laws  inherent  and  inevitably  operative  in  the  very  texture  of 
the  creations,  which  fit  him  for  existence  in  them.  These  laws  are  the 
legitimate  subjects  for  philosophical  investigation ;  and  many  both  of 
the  primary  and  secondary  laws  have  already  been  reached, — and  many 
more  will  be  subjected  to  our  recognition,  through  the  continued  improve- 
ments which  will  be  elicited  by  inductive  philosophy. 

We  thus  present  to  philosophical  man,  the  only  true  mirror  through 
which  he  can  see  and  appreciate  the  great  and  important  truism,  that  the 
grand  focus  of  vivification  ordained  by  Deity,  to  become  pertinently  ope- 
rative to  the  formation,  preservation,  and  progressive  perfection  of  our 
earth,  and  all  the  primary  planets,  with  their  satellites,  and  all  the  erratic 
comets, — is  the  Sun, — the  central  luminary  of  our  system  of  Worlds, — 
originating  all  the  beautiful  and  sublime  operations  pertaining  to  the 
varied,  but  harmonious  motions  of  every  pai-ticle  of  matter  composing 
them, — and  thereby  dispensing  to  them,  through  the  combinations  arising 
from  the  operations  of  these  general  laws  of  matter  and  its  motions,  all 
the  necessarily  varied  stimuli  of  heat,  light,  air,  electricity,  galvanism, 
magnetism,  &c.  &c. — to  produce  all  the  necessarily  varied  mechanical 
actions,  and  chemical  affinities  for  aggregating  and  keeping  all  these  im- 
mense masses,  united  into  their  respective  wholes  ; — and  furnishing  them 
also  with  an  immeasurable  ocean  of  luminiferous  ether,  to  perform  their 
revolutions  around  him,  for  the  continued  reception  of  all  their  appropri- 
ate stimuli  to  action. 

We  have  thought  proper  thus  to  enumerate  some  of  the  radical  influ- 
ences originating  from  the  great  central  luminary  of  our  system,  which 
vivify  and  animate  all  the  organized  things  and  beings  entering  into  the 
constitution  of  our  earth,  and  all  its  productions, — mineral,  vegetable,  and 
animal ; — not  that  we  are  enumerating  any  thing  more  or  less  than  tru- 
isms,— but  for  the  great  purpose  of  observing,  that  such  truisms  should 
be  kept  constantly  in  the  view  of  philosophers  engaged  in  investigating 
every  department  of  nature,  either  in  a  constructive  or  operative  sense 
considered.  It  is  exclusively  through  this  legitimate  spirit  which  should 
govern  all  our  philosophical  researches,  that  we  recognise  the  undoubted 
fact,  that  all  the  geological  formations  are  products  of  solar  influence, 
through  the  operations  of  mechanical  and  chemical  laws,  and  furnish 
through  such  influence,  all  the  necessary  substrata  for  vegetable  and  ani- 
mal life  ;  and  consequently  that  they  are  all  mutually  dependent  and  in- 
separably connected  with  each  other,  in  the  direct  series  of  cause  and 
effect.  We  are  thus  led  to  recognise  the  beautiful  concatenation  of  vivi- 
fying influences,  which  through  the  will  of  our  Creator,  have  been  insti- 


XVI  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

tuted  and  continued  inevitably  operative,  to  the  glorious  creation  and 
destination  of  man. 

The  grand  radical  power  therefore,  employed  by  Deity  in  his  creations 
is  mechanical,  and  operative  to  the  production  of  all  the  diversified  chem- 
ical combinations,  that  are  necessary  to  carry  them  to  their  destined 
perfection.  From  the  minutest  molecules  of  which  these  creations  are 
formed,  to  their  aggregation  as  wholes,  these  radical  and  derivative  influ- 
ences are  operative  and  indispensably  necessary,  to  all  such  geological 
creations  as  are  required,  not  only  to  furnish  the  matrices  of  all  vegetable 
and  animal  existences,  but  to  conduct  them  in  their  growth  to  maturity, 
through  their  destined  periods  of  duration.  Frem  these  and  many  other 
considerations  that  might  be  mentioned,  we  derive  legitimately  the  phi- 
losophical proof  of  the  fact,  that  all  the  worlds  of  Deity  were  made  to 
become  ultimately,  abiding  places  of  probation,  for  rational  and  responsi- 
ble beings  destined  for  immortality. 

The  legitimate  philosophy  of  the  creations  therefore,  drawn  from  ob- 
servation of  all  the  phenomena  pertaining  to  them,  within  the  cognizance 
of  man,  proves  that  they  are  rendered  receptive  and  elaborative  of  all 
the  necessarily  varied  stimuli,  imparted  to  them  in  their  very  creations 
by  Deity,  through  such  varied  sensibility  as  he  respectively  endowed  them 
with  the  powers  of  inevitably  exercising,  in  obedience  to  the  operations 
of  his  creative  laws,  to  the  production  of  all  the  severally  destined  spe- 
cific effects,  necessary  to  constitute  them  perfectly  harmonious  and  whole 
creations.  None  of  the  creations  can  therefore  be  philosophically  con- 
sidered, as  inorganic.  Sensibility  is  as  much  the  radical  property  of 
geological,  as  it  is  of  vegetable  or  animal  formations.  The  philosophy  of 
all  knowledge  needs  regeneration.  Man  is  an  intellectual,  moral,  religious 
being,  through  the  operation  of  the  powers  existent  in  his  physical  con- 
stitution ;  and  through  such  powers  exclusively,  is  rendered  capable  of 
exercising  undisputed  sovereignty  over  the  terrestrial  creation.  It  is 
impossible,  that  any  Christian  philosopher,  who  will  thus  scientifically  study 
his  organization,  both  as  to  structure  and  action,  and  the  vivifying  causes 
operative  throughout  the  creations  which  render  it  so,  can  fjr  ajnoment 
hesitate  to  acknowledge  himself,  as  an  intellectual,  moral  and  religious 
being,  exclusively  through  the  powers  inherent  and  inevitably  operative 
in  his  organization.  The  whole  system  of  created  things  and  beings,  is 
a  physical  system,  in  structure  and  operation,  and  irresolvable  into  pri- 
mordiate  elementality,  through  any  philosophical  processes,  within  the 
powers  of  man  to  institute.  With  the  creative  power  of  Deity,  and  con- 
sequently, with  the  resolution  of  any  of  the  things  or  beings  he  has  made, 
into  their  component  elements,  the  powers  of  man  cannot  be  legitimately 
concerned — but  with  the  general  laws  which  Deity  has  ordained  for  the 
government  of  the  world,  and  with  all  the  vivifying  influences  derived  from 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS.  XVU 

the  operation  of  these  general  laws,  man  is  fully  endowed  with  powers 
for  ascertaining  such  satisfactory,  positive,  and  probable  knowledge,  as  by 
legitimate  explication  and  application,  may  bo  rendered  rcsultive  both  to 
his  highest  temporal  and  eternal  interests. 

We  thus  unfold  the  only  true  philosophy,  through  the  due  appreciation 
of  which,  man  can  both  generalize  and  individualize,  and  consequently 
define,  the  legitimate  boundaries  of  such  knowledge  as  his  faculties,  under 
legitimate  operation,  can  reach  in  time,  viz.,  that  the  majestic  system  of 
the  universe  is  an  organized  mechanical  system,  rendered  operative  through 
the  influences  of  its  central  luminaries,  to  the  formation,  aggregation,  and 
continuance,  of  all  the  things  and  beings  composing  it,  from  the  smallest 
elementary  particles,  to  a  Bacon  or  Newton,  and  from  these  to  angels, 
and  all  other  things  and  beings  secondary  only  to  Deity. 

How  sublime  the  idea,  that  the  universe  of  God  was  made  thus  opera- 
tive to  the  production  of  rational  beings,  to  prepare  for  eternal  advance  in 
blessedness !  and  how  humiliating  the  idea,  that  our  race,  from  having 
neglected  to  reach  the  legitimate  philosophy  of  tlieir  organization,  have 
made  such  slow  advance  towards  recognising  this — the  most  important 
of  all  the  momentous  truths  concerning  man  ! 

We  have  thus  summarily  opened  to  palpable  view  the  true  philosophy 
of  the  science  of  human  nature ;  and  have  now  to  observe,  that  the  fol- 
lowing outlines  of  medical  philosophy,  will  be  found  strictly  conformable 
to  it,  and  inevitably  deducible  from  all  the  observations,  experiences,  and 
reasonings,  that  have  been,  or  can  be,  legitimately  elicited,  through  the 
scientific  study  of  man's  constitution.  When  we  simply  reflect  on  the 
indisputable  fact,  that  no  thinking  or  acting  can  be  performed  through  any 
other  than  nervous  influence ;  that  all  the  desires,  affections,  and  voli- 
tions, that  are  operative  in  eliciting  the  germs  of  reproduction,  are  ex- 
clusively dependent  on  nervous  influence  ;  that  these  germs  are  vivified  to 
fetal  maturity  through  similar  influence,  and  conducted  to  maturity,  and 
continued  in  time,  through  nervous  power ;  the  conclusion  becomes  irre- 
sistible, that  such  power  is  the  whole  power  of  man  ;  as  much  so,  as  that 
the  powers  of  motion  and  gravity  arc  the  powers  instituted  by  Deity, — 
not  only  for  effecting  the  revolutions,  &c.,  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  but 
likewise  for  becoming  ultimately  operative  to  the  production  of  immortal 
existences.  And,  it  may  be  observed,  that  the  modus  operandi  of  these 
powers  is  as  palpable  to  observation  in  the  one  case  as  the  other,  and 
their  effects  equally  patent  to  observation.  Therefore,  all  the  various 
functional  operations,  of  all  the  variously  structured  organs  composing 
the  total  constitution  of  man,  are  legitimately  consequential  to  the  diflTir- 
ent  collocations  and  dispositions,  and  consequently  different  arrange- 
ments,  of  the  different  materials  entering  into  its  composition :  and  they 


XVlll  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

are  all  so  connected  together  through  the  influence  of  the  total  powers 
of  innervation,  as  to  act  in  undisturbed  harmony  and  concert  as  a  whole. 

Through  legitimate  reasoning,  we  arrive  at  this  conclusion  intuitively. 
Logicians  may  rest  assured,  that  a  process  of  reasoning,  however  simple 
it  may  be,  is  made  by  the  intellectual  powers,  for  reaching  the  recogni- 
tion of  any  truth  however  simple  ;  and  that  all  the  knowledge  composing 
what  are  denominated  the  exact  sciences,  both  as  respects  the  proposi- 
tions supporting  them,  and  the  inferences  that  may  be  deduced  from  them, 
are  the  results  of  self-evident  knowledge,  derived  through  the  exercise  of 
the  reasoning  powers.  As  far  as  we  can  positively  and  probably,  or 
through  legitimate  analogy,  trace  a  chain  of  effects  to  their  antecedents, 
so  far  we  have  intuitive  knowledge.  The  mystic  jargon  of  scholastic 
philosophy  will  soon  be  banished  from  the  literary  world,  under  the  en- 
lightening influence  of  such  inductive  research  as  is  gaining  ground  in  it. 
For,  the  belief  of  the  existence  of  Deity,  and  all  his  divine  attributes, 
spontaneously  arises  from  an  intuitive  process  of  reasoning;  and  we 
therefore,  when  unshackled  by  the  mysteries  of  ideality,  naturally  and  in- 
evitably assume  this  as  a  fundamental  proposition,  through  which  we  may 
investigate  our  highest  interests  and  happiness,  and  deduce  from  it  a  se- 
ries of  causes  and  effects,  by  observations,  experiences,  and  reasonings, 
on  the  phenomena  of  animal  and  vegetable  existences,  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest,  and  on  the  geological  formations  supporting  them  ;  and 
thus  possess  a  chain  of  knowledge  more  easily  recognised,  and  infinitely 
more  useful  and  satisfactory  to  us,  than  all  such  as  may  be  rendered  re- 
sultive  from  the  figurings  which  mathematicians  resort  to,  for  deducing 
consequences  from  their  propositions.  And  we  can  reverse  the  reasoning 
process,  and  do  so  naturally  and  inevitably,  when  not  sophisticated  by  the 
visions  of  mysticism,  by  ascending  from  effects  to  their  causes — begin- 
ning, for  instance,  with  monadic  existences  in  the  animal  department  of 
creation,  and  ascending  from  them  to  the  majestic  Creator  of  them  all ; — 
thus  reaching  the  primary  link  in  the  chain  of  all  such  ratiocination,  as 
concerns  man's  highest  interests  and  happiness  in  time  and  eternity. 
Now,  if  we,,  for  the  purpose  of  arriving  at  truths  of  highest  concernment, 
reason  thus  deductively  and  inductively,  naturally  and  inevitably,  what 
need  have  we  of  the  labored,  and  too  often  sophistical  argumentations  of 
the  metaphysical  theologians  and  philosophers,  to  prove  the  existence  of 
Deity  and  his  divine  attributes  1 

Such  argumentations  might  well  have  been  spared ;  for  they  lead  inevi- 
tably to  the  creation  of  doubt  and  uncertainty  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
believe  in  the  mystical  philosophy  originating  them.  Man — we  repeat  it, 
because  it  cannot  be  too  often  presented  for  serious  consideration  and  re- 
flection— naturally  and  inevitably  believes  all  the  great  truths  which  con- 
cern his  highest  interests  and  happiness  here,  and  for  ever,  through  the 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  XIX 

spontaneous  operation  of  his  reasoning  faculties ;  and  but  for  the  perver- 
sion of  sucli  powers,  tlirough  the  visionary  operations  of  ideal  philosophy, 
would  as  really  believe  in  the  confuniation  of  such  truths  through  Divine 
revelation,  as  he  docs  the  trullis  of  nature's  religion  ;  and  under  legitimate 
education  and  legislation,  would  act  in  conformity  with  its  divine  precepts. 

But  mankind  must  be  under  the  full  operation  of  the  natural  laws  and 
precepts  developed  by  the  true  philosophy  of  their  constitution,  before 
they  can  be  disenthralled  from  the  innumerable  evils  which  have  ensued 
from  the  prevalence  of  the  ideal  philosophies  for  thousands  of  years. 

Their  regeneration  must  be  commenced  ab  ovo  ;  for  be  it  observed,  that 
virtues  and  vices  are  hereditary,  in  proportion  to  the  noble  and  ignoble 
characteristics  of  organization  ;  and  many  of  the  most  malignant  and  in- 
curable diseases  afflicting  mankind,  have  originated  from  the  promiscuous 
intercourse  of  sound  with  unsound  constitutions,  and  in  still  greater  de- 
gree of  unsound  with  unsound  constitutions,  in  the  propagation  of  their 
species.  Vices  and  diseases  from  this  promiscuous  intercourse,  have 
become  hereditary,  and  inevitably  transmissible  from  generation  to  gene- 
ration, to  an  incalculable  extent  of  deterioration.  Nations  are  poisoned 
to  the  very  core,  from  the  long  prevalence  of  these  causes,  originated  and 
continued  from  age  to  age,  since  the  creation  of  man, — from  the  repeated 
transgressions  of  nature's  laws,  which  have  ensued,  and  been  riveted  and 
perpetuated  with  increasing  effect,  from  the  uninterrupted  domination  of 
metaphysical  philosophies. 

What  a  departure  from  the  native  nobility  of  man,  from  having  neg- 
lected the  monitions  of  his  nature,  although  Deity  explained  the  philoso- 
phy of  their  operation  at  the  time  he  created  man,  and  inculcated  their 
philosophical  observance,  and  distinctly  announced  the  deplorable  conse- 
quences of  transgressing  them  ! 

How  few  are  the  bright  and  noble  spirits  who  may  be  considered  as 
having  enlightened  mankind  since  the  fall,  and  previous  to  the  advent  of 
the  herald  of  their  salvation  !  And  have  the  number  of  such  spirits  in- 
creased in  proportion  to  the  bright  lights  shed  upon  the  world  by  Divine 
Revelation  1 

Let  the  sad  history  of  the  world  since  it  was  matured  by  Deity,  for  the 
creation  and  residence  of  man,  be  phiiosophically  written, — and  it  will  be 
found  to  have  been  since  the  fall,  principally  a  history  of  crime. 

And  has  this  sad  state  of  it,  originated  from  necessity  or  fatalism  ? — 
No, — man  was  created  upright, — with  powers  for  choosing  good  and  hap- 
piness, and  rejecting  crime  and  misery.  The  majority  of  the  world  under 
the  influence  of  erroneous  philosophy,  has  chosen  and  practised  the  latter; 
and  the  race  of  man  has  consequently  become  so  far  degraded  by  the  pre- 
valence of  the  transgressions  of  nature's  laws,  that  many  years  will  be 
necessary,  under  the  full  recognition  and  practice  of  the  legitimate  phi- 


XX  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

losophy  of  knowledge,  to  regenerate  and  redeem  mankind, — and  raise 
them  to  their  native  nobility  of  organization. 

Vices  and  diseases,  through  the  influence  of  metaphysical  education  and 
government,  have  become  so  ingrafted  into  their  very  nature,  as  to  cause 
whole  pagan  nations,  and  many  of  the  philosophers  and  others  amongst  the 
Christian  nations,  to  advocate  the  absurd  and  visionary  doctrines  of  ne- 
cessity and  fatalism,  to  exculpate  their  aberrations  from  the  practice  of 
virtue,  which  unsophisticated  nature  teaches  them,  and  the  benevolent 
revelation  of  their  Creator  confirms. 

To  redeem  mankind  from  the  deplorable  consequences  of  such  degen- 
eracy and  wretchedness,  nothing  more  nor  less  is  necessary,  than  to  make 
them  philosophically  acquainted  with  the  powers  inherent  and  operative 
in  their  very  constitutions,  and  inevitably  so, — when  not  sophisticated  by 
false  philosophy.  Such  education,  notwithstanding  what  many  of  the 
medical  profession  might  allege  to  the  contrary,  could  easily  be  given  to 
mankind,  as  would  in  due  time,  result  in  such  redemption  and  confirmation 
of  revelation,  as  would  conduct  them  to  universal  felicity. 

That  such  regeneration  is  not  impracticable  of  accomplishment,  and 
that  it  would  inevitably  result  from  the  establishment  of  education  and 
government,  on  the  legitimate  philosophy  of  the  science  of  man,  may  be 
considered  as  in  a  train  of  proof,  from  the  observations,  experiences,  and 
reasonings,  that  have  lately  been  elicited  by  many  distinguished  investi- 
gators of  the  medical  sciences,  who  in  their  researches  appear  to  have 
manifested  an  approach  to  the  recognition  of  such  physical  philosophy,  as 
we  are  now  unfolding. 

We  conclude,  therefore,  that  the  constitution  of  man  in  which  all  the 
powers  that  elicit  all  his  thoughts  and  actions  are  inherent  and  operative, 
may  be  studied  and  well  understood  anatomically  and  physiologically,  by 
all  mankind  in  early  life  ; — and  that  when  thus  understood,  they  will 
legitimately  exercise  their  faculties  in  acquiring  knowledge,  and  practising 
all  the  virtues,  leading  to  their  highest  interests  and  happine  ss  for  ever. 
Such  knowledge  of  the  constitution  should  therefore  constitute  the  very 
ground-work  of  all  education,  viz  :  after  the  faculties  shall  have  been  phi- 
losophically exercised,  in  the  acquisition  of  such  preparatory  knowledge, 
as  would  lead  the  students  to  just  comprehension  of  the  structure  and 
operations  of  the  constitution.  Under  the  influence  of  such  knowledge, 
and  such  only,  can  we  philosophically  ask  the  most  important  of  all  ques- 
tions, concerning  man,  viz :  whether  any  portion  of  the  race,  of  sound 
construction,  and  under  the  full  recognition  of  such  legitimate  philosophy 
of  organization,  as  we  have  in  very  general  terms  unfolded,  would  suflTer 
their  lower  propensities  to  preponderate,  and  lead  them  to  destruction 
here  and  for  ever  ?  We  unhesitatingly  answer,  that  every  human  being  of 
sound  formation,  as  soon  as  he  thus  understands  the  science  of  his  con- 


PKELIMINAUY    OUSKRVATIO.NS.  XXI 

stitution,  and  its  glorious  destination,  will  rejoicinnrly,  and  legitimately 
respond  to  this  great  question.  This  subject  is  inexhaustible  and  full  of 
highest  interest,  beyond  all  others  that  can  be  presented  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  world.  The  history  of  all  human  action,  proves  the  woful 
necessity  of  abandoning  the  false  philosophies  which  have  governed  it ; 
and  never  since  our  creation,  did  the  history  of  human  conduct  more  im- 
peratively call  for  legitimate  philosophy,  to  control  and  direct  it,  than  at 
the  present  time.  We  have,  therefore,  thought  proper  simply  to  broach 
this  great  subject, — for  we  cannot  now  enlarge  upon  it, — cannot  now 
give  the  full  philosophy  of  sensualization  and  wretchedness,  in  time  and 
eternity,  or  the  philosophy  of  righteousness  and  happiness,  here  and 
for  ever. 

We  shall  hereafter  more  fully  discuss  this  philosophy  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  man,  and  hope  to  carry  it  home  to  the  conviction  of  all  those 
philosophers  who  are  willing  to  become  disenthralled  from  the  fallacious 
dictation  of  the  ideal  philosophies,  by  studying  the  legitimate  philosophy 
of  human  nature  and  its  confirmation  by  revelation,  through  the  legitimate 
exercise  of  the  reasoning  powers  which  are  bound  up  exclusively  in  their 
own  physical  constitutions. 

They  will  then  readily  recognise,  that  all  the  things  and  beings  com- 
posing the  creations  of  Deity,  have  manifested  such  successive  advance 
to  perfection,  as  they  were  ab  initio  constructed  to  reach ;  and  that  man, 
although  he  was  created  after  the  likeness  of  his  God,  was  yet  for  the 
wisest  of  purposes  (which  we  cannot  now  enumerate)  made  imperfect, 
but  still  with  such  powers,  that  through  their  legitimate  study,  and  philo- 
sophical direction,  he  might  attain  his  best  and  highest  happiness,  not  only 
in  his  present  state  of  being,  but  likewise  enjoy  the  delectable  foretaste  of 
the  blessedness  of  eternal  progression  in  the  happiness  of  exercising  his 
intellectual,  and  moral,  and  religious  powers,  in  glorifying  the  almighty 
source  of  all  the  intelligential  creations. 

The  true  philosophy  therefore  of  the  science  of  human  nature,  as  we 
have  revealed  it,  may  be  easily  taught  and  understood, — but  the  ideal  phi- 
losophy deals  in  mysteries  that  cannot  be  comprehended  and  appreciated, 
by  the  legitimate  faculties  implanted  in  the  human  constitution. 

The  true  philosophy  leads  directly  to  the  melioration  of  mankind  through 
the  acquisition  of  the  true  knowledge  of  nature,  and  the  spontaneous 
practice  of  virtue,  in  conformity  with  its  precepts,  and  the  enjoyment  of 
happiness  here  and  for  ever, — but  the  false  philosophy  leads  directly  to  the 
deterioration  of  mankind,  either  by  creating  such  doubt  and  uncertainty 
respecting  morals  and  religion,  as  ultimates  in  their  rejection, — or  by  cre- 
ating a  bigoted,  or  fanatic,  adherence  to  such  mystic  creeds  as  inevitably 
arise,  and  receive  the  stamp  of  govermental  dictation,  under  the  meta- 
physical philosophies. 

D 


XXll  PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS. 

It  is  worthy  of  special  remark,  that  in  proportion  to  the  advance  of  a 
few  distinguished  investigators  of  the  nature  of  man,  toward  the  recogni- 
tion of  its  true  philosophy  ;  the  metaphysical  philosophers  have  increased 
their  exertions  to  mystify  and  confound  all  knowledge,  morals,  and  religion. 
Witness  the  visionary  and  whimsical  speculations  of  Kant,  and  other 
German  philosophers,  and  their  commentators,  even  in  our  own  country, 
who  pretend  to  the  conception  and  recognition  of  such  incomprehensible 
mysteries,  as  subtilize  and  confound  all  knowledge  and  virtue  totally  be- 
yond the  power  of  receiving  any  support,  even  from  sophistical  ratiocina- 
tion. But  the  acute  and  sublimated  processes  of  reasoning  which  have 
thus  been  resorted  to,  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  baseless  fabrics 
of  idealism,  which  have  been  erected  under  the  domination  of  the  preva- 
lent philosophies,  can  never  be  rendered  resultive  to  the  condensation  of 
the  philosophy  of  man  on  its  legitimate  basis.  Better  that  chaos  had 
remained,  than  that  man  should  have  been  created,  to  lose  his  nature  in 
the  mystics  of  such  ideal  philosophy. 

The  veitable  philosophy  of  the  constitution  of  man,  arising  from  the 
legitimate  basis  on  which  we  have  placed  it,  is  not  only  in  accordance 
with  all  the  severally  varied  vivifying  operations  of  the  severally  varied 
structures,  geological,  vegetable  and  animal,  which  compose  our  world, — 
but  is  also  in  philosophical  accordance  with  the  scriptural  history  of  the 
creation  of  the  world,  and  of  man,  its  sovereign  arbiter.  The  true  phi- 
losophy of  man,  therefore,  brings  us  into  such  intimate  relationship  with 
Deity,  and  admiration  of  his  powers  and  goodness,  as  cannot  faiHo  render 
us  wiser  and  better  here,  and  prepare  us  for  the  enjoyment  of  happiness 
for  ever. 

Who  can  view  the  beautiful  machinery  of  any  department  of  man's 
organization,  for  instance,  such  machinery  as  constitutes  his  primary  inlets 
of  knowledge,  the  external  senses,— without  recognising  their  admirable 
adaptation  to  the  reception  of  their  respectively  appropriate  stimuli  to 
action,  through  the  beautiful  varieties  of  structure  composing  them  1  And 
who  can  reason  from  the  fact,  that  all  these  stimuli  are  derivative,  either 
immediately,  or  mediately,  from  the  great  centre  of  vivification  ;  without 
arriving  at  the  conclusion  that  they  have  been  operative  to  the  preparation 
of  our  world,  for  the  formation  and  habitation  of  man,  not  only  for  con- 
tinuance in  time,  but  eternity  1  Who  therefore,  does  not  see,  that  through 
the  operations  of  such  vivifying  influences,  man  was  made  after  the  im- 
age of  his  Creator'?  And  who  can  refrain  from  acknowledging  the  inti- 
macy of  relationship,  thus  naturally  and  inevitably  existing  between  man, 
and  his  Creator] 

And  who  ever  saw  such  delectable  intimacy  through  any  of  the  visionary 
media,  suggested  by  any  of  the  metaphysical  philosophers  ?  And  who, 
tjierefore,  can  help  recognising  the  indispensable  necessity  so  often  in- 


IMli:  LIMINARY    OnSERV.VTIONS.  XXUl 

ciilcatcd  by  Deity,  of  man's  studying  and  understanding  his  own  organi- 
zation as  thus  arising,  without  coming  to  the  conchision  that  ail  his  facul- 
ties for  thinking  and  acting,  are  bound  up  in  his  own  constitution,  and 
inevitably  inherent  and  operative  there,  to  the  perception  and  practice,  of 
all  the  felicitating  commandments  of  natural  and  revealed  religion,  when 
not  sophisticated  by  the  visionary  education  consequential  to  the  ideal 
philosophy?  Well,  therefore,  may  we  proclaim,  that  the  philosophies 
which  have  prevailed  throughout  the  world,  since  the  fall  fearfully  es- 
trange man  from  his  Creator,  and  subtilize  all  his  affective  emotions,  to  such 
unappreciable  tenuity  as  defies  any  philosophical  condensation. 

But  it  is  satisfactory  to  know  that  the  metaphysical  philosophies  origin- 
ated not  with  Deity,  through  our  creation,  or  his  revelations,  but  from  the 
perversion  of  Deity's  laws.  Know  thyself,  instead  of  having  originated 
in  the  brain  of  the  Miletian  philosopher,  was  first  taught  and  inculcated  by 
the  Creator  of  all  philosophers. 

Therefore,  the  philosophical  chain  of  causation,  leading  to  the  recogni- 
tion of  all  the  knowledge  which  man  can  reach  in  time,  is  inceptive  in 
the  power  of  Deity  ;  for  all  the  positive  and  probable  knowledge  that  man 
has  the  power  of  acquiring  through  the  exercise  of  his  intuitive  faculties, 
is  deductive  immediately  in  and  from  Deity,  to  his  lowest  things  or  beings, 
and  inductive  from  these  to  himself  again.  This  is  nothing  more  than  a 
self-evident  truth,  deducible  from  the  slightest  consideration  bestowed  on 
any,  or  all,  of  the  organic  things  and  beings  composing  our  creation  ; — 
and  this  self-evidency  arises  from  the  simplest  exercise  of  our  reasoning 
powers,  resulting  in  the  admission,  that  man  can  create  none  of  these 
things  or  beings,  or  resolve  them  into  their  component  elements. 

Man's  legitimate  province  of  study,  therefore,  is  to  discover  and  ana- 
lyze the  general  laws  which  Deity  has  instituted  for  governing,  and  thereby 
continuing  and  perfecting  his  creations,  and  to  develop  the  combinations 
and  modifications  arising  from  the  operations  of  these  general  laws  ; — 
and  not  to  waste  his  time  unprofitably,  in  endeavoring  through  the  aid  of 
any  of  the  mechanical  or  chemical  powers,  to  resolve  things  or  beings  into 
their  primordiate  elements. 

Until,  therefore,  mankind  shall  have  fully  adopted  the  legitimate  phi- 
losophy of  their  physical  organization,  they  will  never  universally  learn 
to  do  God's  will  on  Earth,  as  it  is  done  in  Heaven. 

We  have  already  much  transcended  the  limits  which  we  prescribed  to 
ourselves  when  we  commenced  this  introduction,  and  can  therefore  say 
but  little  more  at  the  present  time,  concerning  this  great  doctrine  of  the 
philosophy  of  man,  which  we  are  unfolding,  for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting 
to  the  perusers  of  the  following  Work,  a  synoptical  view  of  the  philoso- 
phy of  the  reasons,  which  induced  us  to  compose  and  present  it  to  the 
medical  profession  for  serious  and  attentive  examination. 


XXIV  PRKLIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

These  principles  will  be  found  by  all  medical  philosophers  who  will 
give  them  such  examination,  to  be  the  products  of  the  reasoning  faculties 
existent,  and  inevitably  operative  in  the  constitutions  of  all  men  pos- 
sessing sound  organizations.  And  they  will  find  them  alone,  by  due  ap- 
plication, operative  to  the  explication  and  elucidation  of  all  the  physio- 
logical phenomena  pertaining  to  the  organization,  both  in  health  and 
disease,  through  all  their  varieties  of  manifestation  ;  and  to  all  the  varied 
pathological  phenomena  elicited  through  diseases  arising  from  every  variety 
of  causation  ;  and  to  all  the  therapeutical  phenomena  and  their  varia- 
tions, as  exhibited  by  nature  in  its  diseased  state,  and  to  all  such  as  are 
elicited  through  medication,  when  resorted  to,  for  removing  the  diseased 
conditions  of  the  organization. 

The  vitality  of  man,  therefore,  and  of  all  other  beings  radically  similar 
to  him,  existent  in  the  other  habitable  creations  of  Deity,  is  exclusively 
dependent  on  the  great  fundamental  law  of  Neurosity,  which  he  instituted 
for  its  governm.ent. 

This  great  law  of  innervation,  through  all  the  general  and  variously  di- 
versified operations,  characterizing  its  manifestations  of  aninialization,  as 
resultive  to  the  perfection  of  Deity's  creations,  is  derivative  through  a 
direct  series  of  cause  and  effect,  satisfactorily  appreciable,  through  the 
general  and  variously  combined  and  modified  operations  of  the  mechanical 
laws  of  motion  and  gravity,  which  Deity  endowed  the  great  central  lumin- 
ary of  our  system,  and  all  the  central  luminaries  of  all  the  other  systems 
composing  the  universe,  with  the  powers  of  originating  and  continuing 
operative,  to  the  production  cf  rational  beings,  destined   for  immortality. 

The  law  of  Keurosityj  therefore,  is  the  grand  result  of  the  operation  of 
all  the  laws  governing  the  creations,  and  this  grand  hnk  in  the  series,  is 
continued  operative  in  the  same  direct  line  of  cause  and  effect,  to  the 
production  and  continuance  for  ever,  of  nature's  perfection,  a  reasoning 
and  responsible  being,  made  after  the  image  of  his  God  ;  who  needs  nothing 
more  nor  less,  than  to  understand  the  true  philosophy  of  his  organization^ 
to  enable  him  to  act  during  his  sojourn  in  time,  in  obedience  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  both  natural  and  revealed  religion,  and  be  happy  for  ever.  For, 
it  is  a  self-evident  truth,  tbat  no  other  than  the  legitimate  philosophy  of 
human  nature  can  ever  regenerate  mankind,  and  restore  them  to  their 
primitive  nobility  ;  no  other  can  ever  teach  individuals  to  legitimately  love 
themselves,  and  to  love  their  neighbors  as  themselves,  or  teach  societies 
and  nations,  to  establish  education  and  governments,  on  such  bases,  as 
shall  ensure  them  the  enjoyment  of  such  rational  and  practical  liberty,  as 
will  result  in  such  universal  felicity,  as  mankind  are  destined  sooner  or 
later  to  reach. 

How  will  the  present  agitations  among  many  of  the  principal  nations 
of  the  earth,  arising  from  aspirations  after  liberty,  ever  be  made  tmder  the 


I'UELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  XXV 

domination  of  ideal  philosophies,  to  subside  and  settle  down  to  the  pro- 
duction of  even  the  less  and  less  partial  good,  that  we  as  a  nation,  are 
daily  experiencing,  from  having  disregarded  the  monitions  of  those  bright 
lights  who  achieved  our  liberties,  and  established  them  on  a  more  philo- 
Bophical  foundation,  than  any  other  were  ever  in  ancient  or  modern  time 
established,  under  the  dictations  of  metaphysical  philosophies. 

Of  all  the  great  questions  for  solution  that  can  at  the  present  time  be 
proposed,  this  is  imperatively  the  most  momentous,  not  only  tons,  but  the 
whole  family  of  man  ; — and  it  is  far  more  appropriate  that  such  question 
should  originate  and  receive  its  solution  in  our  own  great  empire  of  free- 
dom, than  in  any  other  region  of  our  world  ;  as  we  are  considered  by 
all  those  panting  after  freedom,  the  only  legitimate  pioneers  to  its  ex- 
tension. 

But  how  shall  we  teach  the  aspirants  for  freedom,  to  attain  and  secure 
it  to  the  productiveness  of  universal  amelioration,  when  we  ourselves 
have  so  recklessly  abused  its  privileges,  and  suffered  it  so  wofully  to 
degenerate  ? 

When  we  duly  reflect  on  the  very  partial  benefits  which  we  have  ex- 
perienced, and  the  less  and  less  that  we  are  daily  experiencing  from  our 
boasted  freedom, — have  we  not  reason  to  conclude  that  such  degeneracy 
cannot  be  attributed  to  any  thing  in  the  nature  of  freedom  itself, — and, 
therefore,  that  it  must  be  attributed  to  such  erroneous  direction,  as  our 
own  nature  has  been  made  to  assume,  through  erroneous  philosophical 
dictation  1 

Need  we  ask,  therefore,  whether  the  great  privileges  of  freedom  can 
be  recognised  and  enjoyed  by  us,  or  any  other  nation  of  men,  without 
understanding  philosophically  the  science  of  human  nature? 

When  we  reflect  on  the  numerous  and  variant  mystic  philosophies  which 
have  arisen  in  ancient  and  modern  time,  in  Christian  and  pagan  countries, 
since  the  fall  of  man  from  his  native  nobility  ;  do  we  not  derive  proof  con- 
clusive, that  mankind  need  regeneration,  and  that  they  will  never  reach 
it,  through  the  operations  of  any  of  the  metaphysical  philosophies,  which 
ever  have  or  ever  can  be  fabricated  ] 

We  repeat  our  conclusion,  therefore,  that  until  morality  and  religion 
be  legitimately  recognised,  and  legitimately  applied,  amongst  the  nations, 
through  legitimate  education,  based  on  the  legitimate  knowledge  of  the 
constitution  of  human  nature ;  mankind  will  never  reach  such  universal 
regeneration,  as  Deity  has  made  them  capable  of  reaching,  and  designed 
them  ultimately  to  reach. 

Let  those  who  doubt  the  meliorating  consequences  which  would  ensue 
to  mankind,  from  coming  under  the  dominion  of  the  true  philosophy  of 
their  organization,  and  recognition  of  the  glorious  destiny  awaiting  them, 
from  the  legitimate  exercise  of  their  intellectual  and  moral  faculties, — 


XXVI  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

reflect  seriously  on  the  universal  purification  which  would  ensue  from  sci- 
entifically purging  the  present  and  future  generations  of  men,  from  the 
crimes  and  diseases  entailed  on  them,  through  the  repeated  transgressions 
of  nature's  laws,  for  thousands  of  years, — and  they  will  soon  see  their 
way  clear,  to  the  redemption  of  their  pristine  nobility  of  constitution. 
They  will  then  realize  the  most  important  truth  concerning  man,  viz  : — 
that  the  universal  redemption  of  his  species  must  be  commenced  ab  ovo 
and  carried  to  consummation,  through  the  sovereign  efficacy  which  would 
inevitably  result  from  universal  education,  erected  on  the  legitimate  phi- 
losophy of  human  organization. 

Let  philosophers  simply  reflect  on  the  great  truth,  which  they  cannot 
help  acknowledging,  viz: — that  they  can  neither  create  any  of  the  things 
or  beings  composing  the  world,  or  resolve  them  into  their  constituent  ele- 
ments ;  and  they  will  soon  see,  that  they  have  been  philosophising  on  such 
ideal  ground,  as  will  never  conduct  them  to  satisfactory  knowledge  of  the 
total  science  of  medicine,  or  any  other. 

They  will  then  see,  that  instead  of  exercising  their  powers  in  vain 
attempts  to  resolve  creations  into  their  constituent  elements,  they  should 
legitimately  exercise  them  through  appropriate  observation  and  experiment, 
for  discovering  the  beautiful  associations  of  material  substances,  compos- 
ing many  of  the  things  and  beings  of  creation  within  their  reach  for  in- 
vestigation ;  and  they  will  then  gratefully  recognise,  that  they  were  de- 
signedly made,  and  delectably  adapted  to  their  wants  ;  and  as  to  those 
combinations  and  modifications  characterizing  such  of  the  higher  creations 
as  they  cannot  so  easily  bring  within  their  cognizance,  they  will  neverthe- 
less, from  the  considerations  which  will  be  inevitably  presented  to  them, 
through  analogy,  legitimately  conclude,  and  find  them  to  be,  equally  adapt- 
ed to  their  wants,  both  as  to  the  vivifying  influences  which  they  manifestly 
exert  in  their  creation  and  preservation  in  time. 

Through  the  legitimate  study  therefore,  of  the  instrumental  powers  of 
Deity,  for  the  governance  of  his  creations,  they  will  reach  as  positive  and 
clearly  prospective  knowledge,  of  the  beautiful  associations  of  material 
substances,  adapted  to  their  indispensable  wants,  as  they  can  realize  from 
the  combinations,  &c.  of  nnmbers,  or  quantities,  eliciting  their  mathemat- 
ical knowledge,  and  recognise  them  as  equally  in  the  one  case,  as  the 
other,  derivative  through  observation  and  experiment,  viz  :  through  the 
inevitable  operations  of  the  reasoning  powers,  which  elicit  all  their  intu- 
itive knowledge,  viz  :  all  their  knowledge. 

We  repeat — they  will  thus  see,  that  man's  proper  province,  is  to  study 
the  beautiful  combinations  and  modifications  of  things  and  beings,  arising 
from  the  operations  of  the  instrumental  laws  instituted  by  Deity,  for  ruling 
his  creations  ; — and  they  will  then  see,  that  they  are  all  harmoniously  and 


PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS.  XXVU 

beautifully  adapted  to  man,  as  respects  their  indispensable  fitnesses  for 
his  creation  and  preservation,  and  happiness  in  time  and  eternity. 

Why  tlie«  recur  to  the  labored  and  sophistical  arg-umentatioiis  inevita- 
bly consequential  to  the  adoption  of  ideal  philosophy,  which  luxuriates 
interminably  in  the  visionary  recognition  of  souls,  emanating  immediately 
from  Deity,  and  absurdly  imputes  to  their  operation  on,  and  in  the  consti- 
tution,  all  the  phenomena  of  mind.  Of  all  the  monstrous  interpretations 
of  man,  ever  engendered  through  perverted  reason,  none  can  be  consider- 
ed more  derogatory  to  the  majesty  of  the  Supreme  Creator  of  the  Uni- 
verse. And  the  weakness  and  absurdity  of  all  the  reasons  which  the 
metaphysicians  can  bring  from  nature,  or  the  revelations,  in  support  of 
the  doctrine,  are  instantly  met  by  thousands  of  opposing  reasons,  drawn 
from  the  inherent  and  inevitably  operative  powers  of  the  human  consti- 
tution, which  we  liave  proclaimed  it  as  possessing,  through  the  inevitable 
operations  of  a  beautiful  concatenation  of  vivifying  influences,  emanating 
from  the  grand  central  luminary  of  our  system  of  creations,  and  operative 
not  only,  to  the  formation  of  such  geological  substrata  as  furnish  the 
innumerable  matrices  for  vegetable  and  animal  existences,  that  flourish 
during  their  destined  periods  of  duration  and  perish; — but  operative  like- 
wise, to  the  formation  of  appropriate  foundations,  for  the  creation  and 
preservation  of  existences,  destined  for  eternal  duration,  through  the  per- 
fection of  such  nervous  power,  as  elicits  all  the  sentiments  and  emotions 
pertaining  to  free  agents  and  responsible  beings. 

But  we  must  hasten  to  our  conclusion  ;  for  we  cannot  now  do  more  than 
barely  intimate  the  great  outlines  of  either  false  or  true  philosophy  ;  to 
analyze  them  into  scientific  detail,  through  legitimate  induction,  would 
require  all  the  talents  of  the  world  to  be  placed  under  legitimate  investi- 
gation. 

We  shall,  therefore,  conclude  that  the  great  law  of  Neurosity,  govern- 
ing  and  regulating  the  vitality  of  man,  in  all  his  varieties  of  structure 
and  operation,  from  his  reproductive  state,  till  his  extinction  in  time, 
— is  considered  in  the  following  Treatise,  as  legitimately  constituting 
the  fundamental  proposition,  on  which  rests  the  total  philosophy  of  medi- 
cine : — 

I.  Because  all  the  physiological  phenomena,  both  as  to  cause  and  effhct, 
pertaining  to  the  human  organization,  from  its  reproductive  state,  till  its 
extinction  in  time,  are  receptive  of  satisfactory  demonstration  from  the 
principles  developed  by  this  proposition. 

II.  Because  all  the  pathological  phenomena,  generally  as  to  their 
causes,  and  always  as  to  their  effects,  are  receptive  of  similar  demonstra- 
tions, and 

III.  Because  all  the  therapeutical  phenomena  of  nature,  and  gener- 
ally those  excited  by  medication,  are  receptive  of  such  demonstration. 


XXVUl  PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

Under  the  recognition,  therefore,  of  this  fundamental  proposition,  and 
the  others  developed  by  it,  as  explained  in  the  following  work,  physicians 
will  carry  with  them  to  the  bedside  of  the  sick,  such  total  philosophy  of 
the  diseases  afflicting  their  fellow  beings,  as  will  enable  them  both  to 
generalize  and  specialize  the  pathological  conditions  presenting  themselves, 
to  such  satisfactory  demonstration,  as  will  scientifically  direct  them  with 
the  greatest  rapidity  of  intuition,  to  the  selection  of  such  general  and 
special  medication,  as  will  most  efficaciously  help  forward  the  recuperative 
powers  existent  in  the  constitution,  to  the  elimination  of  the  pathological 
phenomena. 

We  therefore  respectfully  solicit  our  medical  brethren,  to  attentively 
study  this  philosophy,  because  we  are  convinced  that  they  will  not  only 
thereby  recognise  its  legitimacy,  but  realize  incalculable  advantages  in 
their  practice  of  the  noblest  of  all  the  sciences.  , 

The  propositions  on  which  our  philosophy  is  founded,  are  announced 
and  explained,  not  in  a  dogmatical  or  magisterial  manner,  but  in  such 
positive  language  as  becomes  us  to  use  in  the  promulgation  of  new  and 
important  truths. 

Those  who  peruse  this  work,  will  not  fail  to  observe  that  it  was  hastily 
composed,  and  consequently  that  elegancy  of  diction,  was  not  particularly 
studied  ;  but  the  great  principles  supporting  it  were  thoroughly  matured, 
and  these  are  confidently  offered  to  the  profession,  because  we  are  con- 
vinced, that  the  more  they  are  examined,  the  more  importantly  they  will 
rise  in  estimation,  as  they  will  be  found  to  develope  inevitably,  not  only 
the  total  philosophy  pertaining  to  the  science  of  medicine,  but  to  the  science 
of  human  nature,  as  a  beautiful  and  harmonious  whole. 

As  all  the  movements  of  the  Universe  were  put  in  requisition  by  Deity, 
for  the  formation  of  man,  and  of  beings  generically  similar  to  him,  after 
his  own  image  ;  and  as  all  these  movements  are  resolvable  into  the  primary 
and  subordinate  operations  pertaining  to  the  laws  of  motion  and  gravity  ; 
so  all  the  general  and  variously  diversified  and  harmonious  movements, 
constituting  the  vitality  of  man  a  beautiful  and  harmonious  whole,  are 
resolvable  into  the  great  law  of  Neurosity,  developing  through  its  ope- 
rations the  chiefest  mechanism  of  all  the  creations,  within  the  powers 
of  man  to  recognise,  through  analytic  demonstration, — a  mechanism  ope- 
rative to  the  production  of  immortal  existences,  having  their  inception 
and  ultimity,  in  the  majestic  Creator  and  Ruler  of  the  Universe. 

As  all  the  subjects  presented  for  consideration  in  this  Introduction,  were 
constantly  maintained  in  observance  during  our  composition  of  the  fol- 
lowing Treatise,  consisting  of  an  uninterrupted  chain  of  reasoning,  for 
establishing  its  fundamental  and  derivative  propositions,  all  leading  to  one 
result,  and  that  of  all  which  it  concerns  man  to  know,  tae  most  momen- 


PRELIMINARY  OBSERVATIONS 


tous,  we  considered  it  unnnecessary  to  divide  the  work  into  Cliupters,  or 
furnish  a  particular  Table  of  Contents. 


It  may  not,  however,  be  amiss  to  observe  to  our  readers, 
that  all  the  propositions  supporting  the  philosophy  of  me-  ' 

dicine,  are  announced  and  explained  from  the  beginning 
to  the 36th  page. 

That  the  principles  consequential  to  the  propositions 
are  illustrated  through  analyses  made  of  Yellow  Fever 
and  Cholera,  from  the 36th  to  140th. 

That  the  same  principles  are  illustrated  through  analyses 
made  of  Tetanus,  Hydrophobia,  Colics,  Apoplexies,  Pal- 
sies, Epilepsies,  &c., — and  of  Gastritis,  Gunshot  Wounds, 
Scrofula,  Phthysis,  Hermorrhages,  Small  Pox,  and  Sy- 
philis, and  that  they  are  all  analyzable  on  the  same  gen- 
eral principles,  however  specifically  different  they  may 

be,  as  arising  from   specifically  diiferent  causes, from 

the 140th  to  187th. 

And  that  from  the 187th  to  the  end. 

We  have  analyzed  the  recuperative  excitations  of  nature  when  diseased, 
and  such  as  may  be  elicited  through  scientific  medication;  and  the  amount 
of  the  whole  philosophy  is,  that  the  principles  supporting  it,  through  le- 
gitimate application,  illustrate  all  the  branches  of  medical  science,  to  in- 
tuitive demonstration,  which  will  be  admitted  by  every  candid  researcher 
after  truth,  who  may  peruse  the  work  with  such  attention,  as  it  merits, 
not  only  in  the  author's  opinion,  but  likewise  in  the  opinion  of  many  of 
his  medical  friends,  fully  qualified  to  judge. 


PHILOSOPHY  OF   MEDICINE 


THE 

PHILOSOPHY  OF  MEDICINE. 


Enunciations  and  Proofs  of  the  Propositions  on  which 
this  Philosophy  is  based. 

The  science  of  medicine  has  been  spell-bound  byjspurious 
systems  of  philosophy  for  thousands  of  years:  to  emancipate 
it  from  such  inglorious  incantatory  domination,  and  present 
to  the  medical  profession  its  true,  beautiful,  harmonious,  to- 
tal philosophy,  we  shall  commence  and  proceed  to  the  com- 
pletion of  our  present  work,  (written  expressly  for  the  pur- 
pose of  accomplishing  these  most  desirable  and  important 
objects,)  with  asserting,  and  proving,  to  satisfactory  demon- 
stration, THAT  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM  IS  THE  WHOLE  SYSTEM 

OF  MAN,  and  consequently  that  the  laws  regulating  this  sys- 
tem, are  the  laws  regulating  all  the  vital  phenomena  pertain- 
ing to  the  total  organization  of  man. 

This  proposition  on  which  the  whole  science  of  medicine 
rests,  will  be  admitted  to  be  self-evidently  based;  when  we 
simply  reflect  that  the  nervous  system  possesses  exclusively 
the  power  of  originating  all  the  sensations,  that  are  necessary 
to  produce  all  the  irritations,  contractions,  or  all  other  vital 
operations,  whether  perceptible  to  philosophic  observation  or 
not,  that  are  necessary  to  produce  all  the  corporeal  and  in- 
tellectual movoments,  or  actions,  which  constitute  the  sum 
total  of  vitality,  as  manifested  in  all  the  solids  and  fluids 
composing  the  whole  system  of  man.  The  study  therefore 
of  the  modus  operandi  of  the  nervous  system,  in  originating 
and  continuing  all  the  vital  phenomena  of  man,  from  his 
2 


6 

creation  or  reproduction,  till  maturity  and  extinction  in  old 
age,  should  constitute  the  first  and  last  link  in  the  syllogistic 
chain  of  all  medical  ratiocination. 

As  the  nervous  system  possesses  thus  exclusively,  the 
power  of  originating  and  transmitting  all  the  sensations, 
vi^hich  are  necessary  to  the  production  of  all  our  vital  phe- 
nomena, another  proposition  equally  self-evident,  irresistibly 
follows,  viz. — that  sensibility  is  the  radical  property  of  vi- 
tality. 

In  this  simple  self-evident  manner,  the  whole  book  of 
physiology  becomes  opened  for  our  perusal,  because  as  long 
as  our  nervous  organization  continues  in  a  healthy  condi- 
tion, so  long  it  continues  to  originate  and  receive  salutary 
sensations  from  its  appropriate  stimuli,  and  to  distribute  them 
to  all  the  varied  departments  of  the  organization,  in  such 
portions,  ways,  and  manners,  as  they  severally  need,  for 
causing  all  the  vital  operations  to  be  performed  in  a  salutary 
manner;  the  due  recognition  and  appreciation  of  which,  will 
constitute  the  whole  of  the  science  of  physiology — a  science 
of  all  others,  the  most  interesting  to  man — because  the  phi- 
losophy of  our  physiological  phenomena,  leads  us  direct  to 
the  mastery  of  the  philosophy  of  our  pathological  pheno- 
mena, and  consequently  to  the  formation  of  all  our  therapeu- 
tical indications. 

The  book  of  pathology  is  consequently,  with  equal  ease, 
opened  for  our  perusal,  whenever  our  nervous  organization 
becomes  the  recipient  and  distributor  of  noxious  stimuli. 
These  are  the  only  truly  philosophical  grounds  for  the  com- 
position of  all  the  physiological  and  pathological  books,  that 
are  required  for  the  study  of  the  vital  phenomena  manifested 
in  the  organization  both  in  its  healthy  and  diseased  condi- 
tions. 

On  the  truth  of  these  propositions  is  grounded  all  true 
medical  knowledge.  We  have  said  that  they  are  self-evi- 
dent propositions— at  any  rate  nothing  more  is  required  to 
recognize  them  as  such,  than  a  common  sense  observation  of 
all  the  vital  phenomena  pertaining  to  the  reproduction  and 


continuance  of  man  here  in  time,  to  conclude  that  he  is  made 
and  continued  a  sentient,  motive,  intellectual  being,  exclu- 
sively through  the  power  of  his  nervous  organization  ;  and 
that  sensibility  is  its  radical  property.  Let  this  suffice  for 
our  present  purpose;  our  propositions  will  receive  abundant 
illustration  as  we  advance. ' 

The  instrumental  powers  governing  and  regulating  man's 
creation  and  continuance  here  in  time,  are  much  more  pal- 
pable to  philosophic  observation  and  appreciation,  than  are 
the  laws  governing  and  regulating  the  material  creations — 
yet  the  essential  nature  and  mode  of  action  of  the  nervous 
system  in  originating  and  continuing  all  our  vital  phenomena, 
although  thus  more  palpable  to  such  observation,  can  never 
be  analyzed  to  such  extent  of  demonstration,  as  the  instru- 
mental powers  employed  by  Deity  for  governing  and  regu- 
lating his  material  universe.  The  physical  stimuli  of  the 
material  creations  are  subservient  to  the  support  and  con- 
tinuance of  man  in  time,  but  they  run,  sooner  or  later,  to 
destruction;  whereas  man's  nervous  organization  emanates 
from,  and  enables  him  to  return  to.  Deity  for  everlasting  dura- 
tion, after  having  finished  his  sojourn  in  the  flesh.  Hence 
we  recognize  the  difficulty  of  analyzing  the  vitality  of  man, 
to  such  extent  of  positive  demonstration,  as  we  can  analyze 
the  physical  stimuli  sustaining  the  movements  of  the  mate- 
rial creations. 

The  bane  of  all  progress  in  true  philosophy  is  now,  as  it 
always  has  been,  owing  to  the  unwillingness  of  man  to  re- 
cognize in  an  appropriately  humiliating  manner  the  omnipo- 
tency  of  the  God  who  made  him.  The  cause  of  this  unwil- 
lingness, we  admit,  is  obviously  to  be  discovered  in  his 
peculiarly  and  wonderfully  compounded  organization: — for 
man  is  a  material — intellectual  being,  occupying  a  midway 
station  in  the  scale  of  the  creations; — by  his  more  grossly 
material  organization,  he  is  unavoidably  chained  to  earth 
and  its  duties,  and  by  his  more  refined  and  perfected  mate- 
rial organization,  he  is  at  the  same  time  rendered  intellectual 
to  the  anticipative  extent  of  aspiring  to  celestial  glories. 


8 

Man,  therefore,  by  the  operations  of  his  compound  material 
organization,  is  rendered  an  immortal  being.  It  is  man's 
longing  after  immortality,  and  carrying  his  nervous  aspira- 
tions to  unappreciable  excess,  that  prohibits  him  from  settling 
such  philosophy  as  his  powers  are  adequate  to  reach  and 
comprehend  on  a  true  basis.  Man,  therefore,  by  and  through 
the  perfection  of  his  material  organization,  is  enabled  to 
comprehend  and  appreciate  during  his  present  state  of  being, 
his  title  clear  to  translation  to  the  immortal  felicities  of  the 
ethereal  creations.  The  soul  of  man  is  the  divinity  stirring 
within  him — it  is  the  direct  product  of  his  nervous  organiza- 
tion— it  is  the  intellectuality  arising  from  the  combined  and 
perfected  operation  of  all  his  material  powers.  The  most 
savage  and  barbarous  races  of  men  are  found  to  have  more 
or  less  longing  after  something  purer  and  more  blissful  be- 
yond their  present  life,  and  the  most  civilized  and  refined 
races  have  the  same  longing  in  a  more  cultivated  degree. 
This  is  inseparably  inherent  and  operative  in  the  very  nature 
of  all  men,  with  perfect  organization; — and  even  the  most 
perfect  comprehension  of  the  felicities  of  future  existence  re- 
ceived through  the  medium  of  revelation,  are  not  thus  com- 
prehensible in  any  other  way  than  by  and  through  the  most 
refined  and  perfected  operations  of  his  material  organization. 
This,  therefore,  may  be  justly  and  legitimately  considered 
as  leading  to  the  establishment  of  another  Self-evident  pro- 
position ;  by  the  a«lmission  of  which,  the  way  becomes  cleared 
for  understanding  at  once  the  whole  philosophy  of  religion; — 
for  it  at  once  removes  and  abolishes  all  the  visionary  specu- 
lations of  all  the  metaphysical  theologians,  who  have  enve- 
loped the  moral  and  religious  nature  of  man  in  thick  and 
impenetrable  darkness  since  the  creation.  It  opens  clearly 
and  incontrovertibly  the  whole  philosophy  of  the  way  and 
will  of  God  to  man,  as  far  forth  as  it  can  be  comprehended 
by  him,  either  through  the  operations  of  his  material  organi- 
zation, or  as  far  as  his  nature  is  thus  made  capable  of  under- 
standing it  through  revelation,  and  no  farther.  Man,  by 
the  natural  operations  consequent  to  his  material  organiza- 


tion,  is  a  moral  and  religious  being,   and  by  cultivation, 
without  any  aid  from  revelation,  has  advanced  morality  and 
religion  to  a  state  of  great  perfection.     We  do  not  deny  re- 
velation, or  reject  its  utility  in  perfecting  the  nature  of  man 
in  his  present  state  of  being; — but  we  insist  upon  it,  that  no 
knowledge  can  be  imparted  through  revelation  to  man,  which 
cannot  be  comprehended  and  recognized  by  the  reasoning 
powers  pertaining  to  his  material — nervous  organization. 
The  philosophy  of  religion  therefore  has  never  been  under- 
stood.    To  suppose  that  Deity  can  impart  any  knowledge  to 
man  which  he  cannot  receive  and  comprehend  through  the 
intellectual  operations  elicited  by  such  material  organization 
as  he  has  given  him,  is  self-evidently  impossible,  utterly  ab- 
surd, ridiculous,  and  totally  at  variance  with  all  true  philo- 
sophy.    The  difficulty,  therefore,  of  reaching  the  true  phi- 
losophy of  religion,  has  always  arisen  from  viewing  and  con- 
sidering the  materiality  of  man  in  a  too  gross  and  brutal 
sense.  The  Christian  religionists  have  always  considered  man 
as  being  by  nature  nothing  more  than  a  gross  aggregate  of 
matter,  incapable  through  its  own  operations  of  ever  discern- 
ing and  distinguishing  good  from  evil,  or  of  ever  arriving  at 
any  perfection  in  morals  or  religion.     But  the  true  philoso- 
phy of  the  human  understanding  recognizes  no  such  consi- 
deration:— nor  can  true  religion,  which  must  be  grounded 
on  such  philosophy,  if  on  any,  recognize  it.     Man  is  a  far 
nobler  being  in  his  present  state  than  the  metaphysical,  mys- 
tical theologians  have  ever  been  willing  to  consider  him; — 
for  all  their  exertions  have  been  expended  in  endeavouring 
to  make  him  exclusively  recipient  of  unintelligible  dogm'as 
of  their  own  creation,  not  warranted  by  a  philosophic  ex- 
planation of  the  religion  they  pretend  to  teach: — thus  are  er- 
rors and  absurdities  in  morals  and  religions  originated  and 
propagated  from  age  to  age  and  through  all  parts  of  the  world. 
We  thus  open  to  philosophic  apprehension  and  apprecia- 
tion, the  true  and  whole  book  of  religion — as  it  becomes  self- 
evident,  from  viewing  the  varied  operations  pertaining  to  the 
organization  of  man,  empowering  him  for  existence  in  time, 


10 

and  eternity,  that  the  composition  of  such  book,  must  incon- 
trovertibly  be  founded  on  the  intellectual  operations  origi- 
nated and  perfected  by  the  powers  of  the  nervous  system — 
the  whole  system  of  man.     And  well  may  it  be  called  the 
whole  system  of  man,  when  we  consider  that  not  a  single 
action  pertaining  to  vitality  can  be  produced,  except  by  and 
through  the  operation  of  the  nervous  power — however  exter- 
nal and  apparent,  or  concealed  and  unapparent,  such  action 
may  be.   As,  is,  the  perfection  of  the  nervous  system  there- 
fore, such  is,  and  unavoidably  will  be,  the  perfection  of  man. 
To  this  conclusion  we  are  inevitably  led,  from  considering 
what  will  not  be  denied,  or  if  denied,  not  disproved,  viz. 
that  the  nervous  system  is  the  exclusive  recipient,  distribu- 
tor,  and  transmitter,   of  all  the   external  and   necessarily 
varied  stimuli  furnished  by  the  physical  department  of  crea-* 
tion,  to  meet  the  exigencies,  not  only  required  by  the  orga- 
nization of  rnan,  but  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  of  all  other 
animated  existences: — that  it  is  also  the  exclusive  elaborator 
of  all  the  necessarily  varied  stimulations  in  the  interior  and 
molecular  departments  of  the  animal  economy,  which  are  ne- 
cessary to  the  production  of  all  our  motions,  or  actions,  how- 
ever voluntary  or  involuntary  they  may  be;  and  of  all  the 
refined  and  perfected  sensibilities,  that  are  necessary  to  the 
excitation  and  thorough  development,  of  all  our  intellectual 
operations.     When  we  further  consider,  that  these  intellec- 
tual operations  thus  elaborated  and  perfected,  excite  in  us 
such  ardent  aspirations  for  communion,  not  only  with  supe- 
rior intelligences,  but  with  Deity  himself, — and  thereby 
enable  man  to  reach  so  near,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  felici- 
ties of  the  ethereal  creations,  while  yet  on  earth, — we  are 
filled  with  amazement,  at  thus  beholding  and  recognizing  the 
beautiful  and  harmonious   operations   of  the  instrumental 
powers  ordained  by  Deity,  for  the  creation,  continuation,  and 
conservation,  of  all  the  varied  vital  phenomena  pertaining  to 
the  organization  of  man. 

The  soul  of  man  therefore  consists  of  the  intellectual  ope- 
rations of  his  material  organization,  which  when  appropriate- 


11 

\y  and  philosophically  considered  and  investigated  to  their 
legitimate  results,  very  naturally  and  rationally  lead  us  to 
the  sublime  conclusion,  that  matter  must  be  progressively 
continuous  from  man,  to  the  grand  architect,  of  universal 
creation.     Indeed  when  we  contemplate  and  philosophically 
appreciate,  the  amazing  isfluences,  exerted  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  cerebral  centre  of  the  nervous  organiza- 
tion, in  exciting  such  subtile  sensations,  as  to  originate  and 
continue  our  intellectual  aspirations,  so  nearly  approximative 
to  the  mental  tangibility  of  celestial  felicities;— we  are  doing 
no  violence  to  religion,  when  viewed  in  its  truly  philosophi- 
cal sense,  in  declaring  that  we  derive  proof  positive,  that  our 
ascension  to  immortality  must  be  effected,  through  the  indi- 
visible tenuity,  and  extensibility,  of  materiality.     It  will  not 
therefore  be  alleged,  that  we  are  engaged,  in  endeavouring 
to  prop  and  sustain  the  cause  of  infidelity ; — because  the  prin- 
ciples and  conclusions  from  our  philosophy  recognize,  not 
only,  that  the  creation  and  duration  of  man  here  in  time,  are 
exclusively  dependent  on  the  operative  power  pertaining  to 
his  nervous  organization; — but  likewise  that  his  translation 
from  time,  to  the  endless  blessedness  of  eternity,  will  be  ef- 
fected through  the  exaltation,  and  ethereal  expansibility,  of 
the  same  divine  power,  after  it  shall  have  shaken  off  from  it 
as  effete  and  useless,  the  more  grossly  corporeal  substances 
which  it  had  animated  for  a  necessarily  given  period  of  pro- 
bation in  time — for  eternity.     Our  principles  are  therefor^ 
to  be  considered  as  reverently  philosophical,  and  incontro- 
vertibly  supported  by  the  wisest  considerations  and  reflec- 
tions, that  naturally,  rationally,  and  religiously  arise,  from 
contemplating  the  amazing  operations,  of  the  wonderful  ner- 
vous structure  of  the  human  system.  In  this  manner  we  un- 
fold to  palpable  observation  the  true  ground-work  of  the  phi- 
losophy of  man's  accountability  for  his  doings  while  in  time, 
and  assert  positively,  without  fear  of  successful  contradiction, 
by  any  of  the  mystic  moralists  or  theologists; — that  all  his 
actions  during  his  present  state  of  being,  mugt  and  will  be 
estimated  in  a  manner  strictly  consistent  with,  and  corres- 


12 

ponsive  to,  the  physiological  phenomena  inevitably  conse- 
quential to  his  peculiar  cerebral  organization,  or  phrenologi- 
cal conformation.  This  proposition  consistent  with,  and  re- 
quired by,  the  true  philosophy  of  religion,  might  easily  be 
illustrated  by  unanswerable  argumentation  ; — but  as  it  is  fo- 
reign to  our  present  purpose,  we  proceed  to  observe,  that 
without  a  duly  philosophical  reflection  as  to  the  cause,  it 
must  appear  astonishing  to  medical  philosophers,  thai  the 
nervous  system,  so  self-evidently  the  whole  system  of  man, 
should  have  so  long  remained  unrecognized  and  unappre- 
ciated:— but  we  have  the  philosophy  of  the  cause,  at  hand: — 
it  is  obviously  attributable  to  the  unnatural  circumrotatory 
method  of  philosophizing,  heretofore  adopted  by  medical  in- 
vestigators, without  any  scientific  starting  point; — for  it  is 
evident,  that  they  might  in  this  manner  perform  their  cir- 
cumgyrations to  eternity,  without  arriving  at  the  fons  et 
origo — which  alone  must  exclusively  constitute  the  philoso- 
phical radicle,  for  all  the  effective  medical  inductions,  that 
are  to  be  elicited  by  appropriate  investigations,  directed  to 
the  study  of  the  various  vital  actions  manifested  by  the  or- 
ganization of  man.  To  study  therefore  physiology,  patho- 
logy, and  therapeutics,  philosophically,  we  should  perform 
all  our  anatomical  operations,  under  the  influence  of  the  full 
conviction,  that  there  must  be  a  head  to  such  a  being  as  man; 
that  he  must  have  a  cerebral  nervous  centre,  which  is  pre- 
cipient,  receptive,  originative,  distributive,  and  circulatory, 
of  all  the  varied  stimuli,  necessary  to  excite  all  the  varied 
functional  operations  of  all  the  varied  organs  constituting 
animal  and  organic  life. 

The  elements  of  the  reproduction  of  vitality  elicited  by 
the  intensely  pleasurable  sensibilities  engaged  in  the  luxu- 
rious generant  coalescence  of  the  sexes,  primarily  manifest 
their  creative  power,  in  the  formation  of  all  the  vivific  appa- 
ratus required  for  the  gradual  evolution  and  development  of 
the  organs  of  nutrition  and  assimilation,  with  all  their  appro- 
priately varied  nervous  structures.  Secondly,  the  spinal  co- 
lumn becomes  apparent,  and  its  formative  progress  observable ; 


18 

and  lastl}^,  the  cerebral  centre  is  developed,  which  in  due 
time  is  to  comjdete  the  new  being,  and  exalt  him  to  such 
perfection,  as  to  render  him  a  subject  for  immortal  existence. 
This  is  now  mentioned  in  the  abstract,  for  the  purpose  of 
declaring  our  ground  for  proving,  that  the  orgasmal  pro- 
ducts of  the  sexual  conjunction  of  vitalities,  under  the  crea- 
tive influence  derived  from  their  appropriate  maternal  sti- 
muli, gradually  elaborate  the  nervous  organization  of  the 
fcBtus,  till  it  arrives  at  such  degree  of  maturity,  as  enables 
its  cerebral  centre  to  solicit  expulsion  from  the  uterus;  after 
which,  by  its  capacity  for  receiving  the  free  and  open  sti- 
muli of  caloric,  oxygen,  light,  &c.,  it  gradually  ripens  to 
corporeal  and  intellectual  maturity; — proving  incontroverti- 
bl}',  that  whatever  the  essential  nature,  and  mode  of  action, 
of  the  orgasmal  plastic  nuclei,  under  the  appropriate  mater- 
nal sensibilities,  uninterruptedly  communicated  to  them 
while  resident  in  the  fecundating  apparatus  of  the  female, 
may  be; — and  whatever  the  essential  nature,  and  mode  of 
action,  of  the  appropriate  stimuli  afterwards' required  for 
ripening  the  new  being  to  the  maturity  of  manhood  may  be; 
they  are  all,  from  the  instant  of  conception,  exclusively  sub- 
servient to  the  elaboration  and  perfection  of  the  nervous  sys- 
tem; which  alone  originates  and  distributes,  all  the  necessa- 
rily varied  stimuli,  for  all  the  necessarily  varied  structures, 
composing  the  total  nervous  organization  of  mart.  It  is  ut- 
terly unphilosophical  therefore,  to  split  sm:h .  organization 
into  vascular,  muscular,  cellular,  osseous,  &c.  systems,  when 
they  are  all  so  self-evidently  dependent  on  nervous  power, 
for  their  creation  and  preservation. 

Our  philosophy  assigns  to  man  his  appropriate  and  me- 
rited station  in  the  scale  of  the  creations,  and  incontroverti- 
bly  settles  his  true  nobility.  Through  its  influences  and  in- 
cessant operations,  the  nervous  system  is  uninterruptingly 
instituting  and  continuing  the  more  grossly  corporeal  ac- 
tions which  are  necessaiy  to  enchain  man  to  earth  and  its 
duties; — but  through  its  influences  and  operations,  intellec- 
tual actions  are  incessantly  excited  and  formed,  which  burst 
3 


14 

the  boundaries  of  flesh  and  earth,  and  anticlpatively  roach  to 
heaven.  All  the  actions  therefore,  of  all  the  systems,  elabo- 
rate the  perfection  of  the  nervous  system — the  only  system 
which  can  be  philosophically  considered  the  primal  and  pro- 
gressive cause  of  man's  perfection,  in  time  and  eternity. 
Can  it  therefore,  be  unphilosophical,  or  irreverent,  or  irre- 
ligious, to  consider  man's  true  nobility  here,  and  his  perfec- 
tion here  and  hereafter,  to  be  exclusively  dependent  on  the 
progressive  continuation  of  the  operations  of  the  subtile  ma- 
teriality of  this  perfectibility  of  the  nervOus  organization, 
when  it  shall  be  released  from  its  tabernacle  here  in  the 
flesh,  which  by  the  ordination  of  Deity,  it  had  formed  for 
its  abode,  for  a  short  probationary  season?  It  is  impossible 
through  the  medium  of  revelation,  or  any  other  source  of 
knowledge  accessible  to  man,  to  form  any  idea  of  spirit,  se- 
parate from  matter;  but  the  apprehension  and  recognition  of 
'  the  progressive  extension  and  expansion  of^  matter,  to  the 
subtile  tenuity  of  such  as  characterizes  the  ethereal  creations, 
are  warranted  and  irresistibly  demanded,  by  all  the  philoso- 
phy which  the  organization  of  man  is  capable  of  eliciting  to 
observation  through  its  intellectual  operations. 

This  sublime  conclusion  is  awarded  to  the  intellectuality 
of  man,  by  nature,  reason,  religion,  and  common  sense;  and 
would  long  since  have  been  acquiesced  in,  but  for  the  false 
philosophizing,  to  which  the  human  system  has  forever  been 
subjected. 

Man  has  always  been  anatomized  and  physiologized  on 
very  erroneous  principles; — or  rather  on  no  principles  that 
can  be  recognized  and  appreciated  agreeably  to  such  consi- 
derations and  reflections,  as  naturally,  rationally,  and  inevi- 
tably arise  from  viewing  and  studying  the  structure  and  ope- 
rations of  the  human  system.  Let  us  simply  ask  the  ques- 
tion,— through  what  influence  .or  influences  in  the  organi- 
zation of  man,  have  the  laws  governing  and  regulating  the 
universe  been  discovered?  Or  through  the  operations  of  what 
influences,  have  all  the  arts  and  sciences  ministering  to  the 
welfare  and  dignity  of  man,  been  discovered?     Or  through 


15 

what  influences,  have  all  mankind,  in  all  ages,  however  ci- 
vilized and  refined,  or  savage  and  barbarous,  been  led  to 
their  adorations  of  Deity,  and  establishments  of  religious 
worship,  in  some  shape  or  other?  Certainly,  not  through 
the  influences  of  the  vascular,  cellular,  muscular,  osseous,  or 
any  other  of  the  systems,  as  they  are  called; — but  through 
the  wonderful  operations  of  the  nervous  system; — the  beau- 
tiful, harmonious,  whole  system  of  man;  for  whose  perfec- 
tion and  nobility  here,  and  forever,  all  the  other  systems  are 
unceasingly  operative  and  subservient. 

JNIany  of  the  brightest  medical  luminaries  of  the  present 
day,  are  confident  in. the  belief  of  their  ability  for  analyzing 
man  into  demonstration,  with  as  much  facility,  as  they  can 
demonstrate  the  laws  governing  the  present  material  uni- 
verse. But  no: — the  material  universe  runs  sooner  or  later 
to  destruction ; — but  the  duration  of  man  is  made  everlast- 
ing, by  the  ordination  of  his  God,  through  the  unceasing 
instrumentality  of  his  nervous  system ; — through  the  medium 
of  which,  he  was  primarily  created  by  Deity,  and  endowed 
thereby  with  the  power  of  reproducing  and  continuing  his 
species  here  in  time,  and  exalting  himself  to  eternity  of 
existence.  Let  us  therefore  duly  recognize  and  appreciate 
the  nobility  of  our  organization,  and  improve  and  perfect 
ourselves  in  our  present  state  of  being,  that  We  may  reach 
and  enjoy  the  endless  nobilities  and  felicities  of  the  ethereal 
creations,  which  are  to  arise  from  the  ashes  of  the  present 
creations,  and  to  be  endowed  with  stimuli  for  everlasting 
revolution.  Let  us  then,  study  the  modus  operandi  of  our 
noble  and  glorious  nervous  organization: — for  although  it 
may  not  be  analyzable  into  positively  mathematical  demon- 
stration, yet  we  shall  be  enabled  by  appropriate  investiga- 
tions, to  make  such  near  approach  to  certainty,  through  the 
inductive  process  of  ratiocination,  as  will  elicit  tiie  eduction 
of  much  more  satisfactory  knowledge  of  ourselves,  than  we 
have  as  yet  attained.  Let  us  study  it,  as  originating  and 
maintaining  all  our  corporeal  and  intellectual  phenomena, 
and  we  shall  reach  much  nearer  perfection  than  we  now  are, 


16 

and  learn  to  limit  our  aspirations  after  more,  within  appro- 
priately philosophical  boundaries,  and  console  ourselves  with 
the  comfortable  reflection,  that  when  we  shall  have  shuffled 
off  our  more  grossly  material  mortal  coil,  we  shall  be  trans- 
lated to  the  immortal  ethereal  creations  of  endless  blessed- 
ness, and  have  clearly  unfolded  to  our  view,  all  the  myste- 
ries of  all  the  creations. 

We  must  study  the  nervous  system  then,  neither  so  much 
after  the  circumrotatory  manner  adopted  by  the  general  run 
of  our  physiological  and  pathological  anatomists,  nor  so  much 
after  the  divisible,  insulating  manner,  of  Lobstein,  Broussais, 
Beclard,  &c. ; — but  we  must  study  it  asa  whole  system — an 
indivisible  system — however  differently  and  variously  its 
operations  in  the  several  departments  of  the  organization, 
may  be  manifested.  We  should  consider  the  whole  nervous 
organization  of  man,  in  its  matured  and  perfect  state,  as  act- 
ing in  strict  and  intimate  subserviency,  and  obedience  to  its 
intellectual  cerebral  centre: — the  direct',  or  indirect,  origi- 
nator of  all  our  sensations,  both  in  health  and  disease,  how- 
ever palpably  manifested  in  some,  or  obscurely  in  other  de- 
partments;— of  all  our  motions,  however  voluntary  and  ap- 
parent to  observation,  or  however  involuntary  and  inappre- 
hensible they  may  be ; — and  of  all  our  intellectual  operations, 
however  transcendently  conspicuous  they  may  be  manifested 
in  some,  or  obscurely  and  inappreciably  in  other  men.  The 
study  of  our  nervous  organization  in  this  manner,  will  show 
the  most  intimate  relationship  of  action,  for  the  production 
of  one  beautiful  harmonious  whole,  of  all  the  nerves  com- 
posing it; — and  that  \hey  are  all  dependent  on  their  grand 
philosophical  radicle  the  brain; — and  that  they  all  emanate 
from  it,  in  a  more  or  less  direct  manner,  according  as  they 
are  destined  by  the  ordination  of  their  Creator,  to  perform 
actions  necessary  to  become  more  or  less  directly,  or  indi- 
rectly, perceptive  there; — for  the  consum^mation  of  one  beau- 
tiful harmonious  whole  system,  of  mortal  and  immortal  vita- 
lity. In  this  manner  the  nervous  system  must  be  studied, 
and  when  so  studied,  in  a  duly  philosophical  manner,  it  will 


17 

lead  to  results  incontrovertibly  confirmatory  of  our  grand 
position,  that  the  nervous  system  is  the  whole  system  of 
man's  organization,  and  exclusively  operative  to  the  produc- 
tion of  all  happiness  in  time  and  eternity. 

We  see,  therefore,  that  the  visionary  notions  agitating  the 
brains  of  many  of  .the  most  justly  and  meritoriously  distin- 
guished medical  philosophers  of  the  present  day,  respecting 
the  practicability  of  attaining  positive  demonstration  in  the 
science  of  medicine,  may  be  abandoned  :  and  they  may  be 
assured,  that  all  the  certainty,  attainable  in  the  science  of 
medicine,  must  arise  from  an  appropriate  recognition  and 
appreciation  of  t]ie  principles  composing  our  own  philosophy. 
In  confirmation  of  which  assertion,  we  request  them  to  ob- 
serve and  particularly  note,  that  the  labours  of  Gall  and 
Spurzheim,  visionary  as  many  of  their  speculations  must  be 
confessed — of  Charles  Bell,  Wilson  Philip,  Lobstein,  Teale, 
Magendie,  &.c.  &c.  are  rapidly  paving  the  way  to  the  recog- 
nition of  our  philosophy: — and  that  however  unmindful  they 
may  now  be  of  it,  the  prosecution  of  their  studies  of  the 
nervous  system,  will  unavoidably  lead  them,  or  some  of 
them,  or  their  successors,  to  its  adoption ;  and  place  the 
science  of  medicine  on  its  truly  philosophical  basis.  The 
recognition  and  adoption  of  our  philosophy,  will  readily 
suggest  the  practicability  of  making  great  and  important  im- 
provements in  all  the  branches  of  the  science; — and  parti- 
cularly lead  us  direct  to  the  adoption  of  a  far  more  efficient 
and  successful  medication.  And,  as  this  should  be  the  grand 
end  and  aim  of  all  our  medical  investigations,  let  us  test 
our  philosophy  by  the  consideration  and  study  of  diseases, 
agreeably  to  the  principles  composing  it. 

The  true  philosophy  pertaining  to  the  organization  of  man, 
both  in  its  salutary  and  pathologized  conditions,  as  clearly 
and  certainly  apprehends  and  appreciates  the  indispensible 
necessity  of  sensibility  being  precedent  to,  and  causative  of, 
all  the  varied  irritabilities,  contractilities,  and  all  other  modes 
of  vital  actions ;  as  it  apprehends  and  appreciates  the  visibi- 
lity of  the  sun  at  noon-day,  through  cloudless  skies: — and  it 


18 

as  clearly  recognizes  the  nervous  system,  as  possessing  ex- 
clusively, tlie  power  of  originating  all  the  varied  sensibilities, 
necessary  to  the  production  of  all  the  varied  actions,  per- 
taining to  all  the  various  solids,  and  fluids,  constituting  the 
total  organization: — for  wliich  purposes,  all  leading  to  the 
production  of  one  beautiful  harmonious  whole;  we  find  the 
sentient  extremities  of  the  nerves,  spread  in  innumerable 
myriads,  throughout  all  the  minutest  portions,  of  all  the  ex- 
ternal, and  internal  tissues,  of  the  animal  organism.  The 
truth  of  this  philosophy  is  rendered  self-evidently  apparent, 
by  the  examination  and  appropriate  investigation,  of  all  ani- 
mated existences,  from  the  monad,  or  polypus,  up  to  man: — 
and  we  may  safely  affirm,  that  all  the  positiveness,  which 
medicine  may  be  now  considered  as  having  attained,  under 
the  false  philosophies  to  which  it  has  been  subjected; — can- 
not receive  conclusively  plenary  and  satisfactory  elucidation, 
except  it  be  tested  by  the  principles  composing  our  own  phi- 
losophy; which  alone  form  the  basis,  for  all  such  medical 
reasoning,  as  will  carry  us  nearest  to  positive  demonstration. 
We  therefore  solicit  attentive  investigation  of  this  philoso- 
phy, under  full  conviction,  that  the  more  if  shall  be  canvas- 
sed, the  more  incontrovertibly  scientific  and  tenable  it  will 
not  only  be  found,  but,  inevitably  confessed  to  be.  It  may 
be  denied; — but  nothing  can  be  brought  forward  in  any  ap- 
preciable and  philosophic  shape,  to  disprove  it; — because  its 
support  is  derived  from  all  the  philosophy,  pertaining  to  all 
the  rational  and  instinctive  departments  of  animated  nature; — 
and  it  is  therefore  philosophically  consistent  with  all  our 
physical  and  vital,  moral  and  religious,  knowledge.  We 
consider  then,  our  philosophy  to  be  irremovably  grounded; — 
because  recognising  and  appreciating,  all  the  creative  and 
continuative  instruments  of  vitality,  employed  by  Deity,  for 
the  reproduction  and  continuation,  hot  only  of  our  species 
here  in  time;  but  for  our  translation  to  the  ethereal  creations 
of  everlasting  happiness; — whenever  our  probationary  state 
shall  be  terminated. 

Our  philosophy  opens  conclusively  and  palpably  to  view. 


19 

the  veritableness  of  the  scriptural  dccUiratioii, — that  man  is 
made  but  little  lower  than  the  angels: — and  that  he  is  so 
made  exclusively  by  and  through  the  instrumentality  of  his 
nervous  organization, — to  be  a  connecting  link  between  the 
celestial  and  terrestrial  creations,  is  a  self-evident  proposi- 
tion^ — therefore  beyond  dispute.  Who  therefore^-shall  gainsay 
our  piiilosophy,  thus  palpably  opening  and  unrolling  to  our 
observation  and  appreciation,  the  true  and  whole  philosophy 
of  our  religion?  Indeed,  who  can  for  a  moment,  have  the 
hardihood,  necessary  to  engage  himself  in  the  advocacy  of 
infidelity;  after  appropriately  contemplating,  and  studying, 
the  wonderfully  varied,  but  harmonizing  operations,  of  the 
vital  mechanism  of  man; — a  mechanism,  which  must  in- 
evitably be  recognized,  as  proving  to  all  philosophical  de- 
monstration, the  immortality  of  the  soul  of  man  ?  We  thus 
assign  to  man,  his  appropriate  dignity,  and  merited  nobility, 
in  the  scale  of  the  creations; — and  to  philosophers,  the  true 
starting  and  ending  points,  in  all  their  medical  investigations. 
The  nervous  system  being  therefore  so  demonstrably  the 
■whole  system  of  man, — and  causative  and  continuative  of  all 
the  varied  operations  pertaining  to  his  varied  organization; 
another  proposition  self-evidently  follows  its  admission,  viz. 
that,  there  is  constantly  operative  in  the  nature  of  man,  a 
conservative  power,  not  only  for  governing,  regulating,  and 
continuing,  his  duration  in  time; — but  likewise,  for  exalting 
him  to  the  sublime  enjoyments  of  eternal  felicity.  Thavis 
medicatrix  naturae  therefore,  which  by  many  medical  philo- 
sophers of  modern  times,  has  not  only  been  so  peremptorily 
denied,  but  ridiculed  and  laughed  to  scorn ;— inevitably 
claims  our  unqualified  recognition,  because  palpable  to  phi- 
losophic 'observation,  whilst  vievving  the  operations  of  our 
organization,  both  in  health,  and  disease.  As  long  therefore, 
as  the  organization  of  man,  continues  to  exercise  such  powers 
of  vitality,  as  are  necessary  to  confine  his  existence  to  time; 
so  tong  the  conservative  operations,  of  his  nervous  organiza- 
tion, become  palpably  manifest  to  philosophic  observation; — 
to  whatever  extent  disease  may  have  assailed  it. 


20 

We  must  therefore  see  and  acknowledge,  that  the  science 
of  medicine  can  never  be  made  to  reach  such  demonstra- 
tion, as  will  invest  it  with  the  dignity  of  ranking  with  the 
exact  sciences; — because  the  philosophy  of  the  creative 
power  of  Deity  can  never  be  revealed  to  man,  during  his 
stay  here  in  time.  But,  although  we  must  in  our  present 
state  of  being,  remain  unacquainted  with  the  philosophy 
of  the  operative  power  employed  by  Deity,  in  his  primitive 
creation  of  man ; — and  equally  so,  with  the  essential  nature, 
and  mode  of  action,  of  the  powers  operative  to  the  repro- 
duction, and  continuation,  of  his  species  here  in  time: — yet, 
it  is  matter  of  sublime  and  exalted  satisfaction,  to  know,  that 
the  nervous  system  is  the  exclusively  instrumental  opera- 
tive in  the  creation  and  continuation  of  all  the  actions  neces- 
sary to  the  constitution  of  total  vitality.  It  is  therefore  evi- 
dent, that  the  dreams  of  medical  philosophers  about  reaching 
mathematical  demonstration  in  the  science  of  medicine,  may 
be  abandoned.  Common  sense,  sooner  or  later,  becomes 
the  true  test  and  standard  of  all  philosophy  within  the  reach 
of  man; — and  it  plainly  proclaims  to  us,  the  impossibility  of 
resolving  the  operations  of  the  vital  laws  governing  and  re- 
gulating man, — endowed  by  his  nervous  organization  with 
mortal  and  immortal  life,  into  demonstration.  Medical  in- 
vestigators might  indeed  with  equal  propriety,  and  prospect 
of  achieving  their  aim,  attempt  the  decomposition  and  recom- 
position  of  their  God :— the  one  being  as  equally  beyond 
their  power,  as  the  other.  Man  thus  made  for  immortality 
can  never  resolve  his  fellow  man  into  demonstration.  Na- 
ture, reason,  religion,  comm.on  sense,  proclaim  all  such  at- 
tempts to  be  far  beyond  his  ken.  It  is  enough  that  we  can 
see  and  know  the  instrumental  operatives  of  our"  vitality, 
w^ithout  vainly  and  impiously  essaying  to  reach  the  philoso- 
phy of  the  creative  power  of  Omnipotence. 

We  consider  it  therefore,  as  incontestibly  proved,  that  the 
true  philosophy  pertaining  to  all  animated  existences,  from 
the  polypus  to  man,  goes  to  the  recognition  and  appreciation 
of  our  grand  philosophical  radicle; — that  the  nervous  sys- 


21 

tcm  is  the  whole  system  of  man ;  and, that  life  is  originated 
and  sustained  by  the  unceasing  operation  of  appropriate  sti- 
muli on  this  system;  and  that,  as  long  as  it  continues  to  re- 
ceive, transmit,  and  distribute  the  requisite  degrees,  to  tho 
several  departments  of  vitality,  in  such  portions,  ways,  and 
manners,  as  they  severally  need,  so  long  the  system  will, 
when  healthily  organized,  continue  to  act  in  a  salutary  man- 
ner:— and  that  any  deviation  from  such  just  reception,  trans- 
mission, and  distribution,  will  constitute  disease. 

The  primal,  progressive,  and  ultimate  effects,  therefore, 
arising  from  the  due  reception  ofappropriate  stimuli,  in  appro- 
priate quantities,  by  the  absorbing  nervous  power  of  the  ner- 
vous system,  is  sensibility,  the  radical  property  of  vitali- 
ty;— which,  by  and  through  the  agency  of  the  nerves,  is  ex- 
tended and  distributed  to  every  part  of  the  animal  organism, 
in  such  portions,  ways,  and  manners,  as  to  excite  all  the 
multiform  and  various  irritations,  contractions,  and  all  other 
vital  operations,  that  are  required  for  the  production  and  con- 
tinuation of  all  the  various  functional  operations  of  all  our 
various  vital  organs. 

Before  proceeding  more  particularly  to  the  consideration 
of  the  philosophy  of  disease,  it  will  be  necessary  to  establish 
another  self-evident  proposition,  viz: — that  all  agents,  salu- 
tary and  insalutary,  operate  stimulantly  on  the  system,  when 
applied  to,  and  received  by,  it; — consequently,  that  there  is 
no  sedative  agent  in  nature.  The  truth  of  this  proposition 
becomes  apparent,  and  inevitably  deducible,  from  our  first 
and  main  proposition, — that  the  nervous  system  is  the  whole 
system  of  man — the  primal,  progressive,  and  ultimate  reci- 
pient, and  distributor  of  all  the  stimuli,  necessary  to  the  pro- 
duction and  continuance  of  vitality: — consequently,  as  long 
as  life  lasts,  it  lasts  by  stimulus.  There  cannot,  therefore, 
be  any  positively  sedative  agent,  either  amongst  the  salutary 
or  noxious  stimuli,  applied  in  whatsoever  quantities,  and 
subjected  to  whatsoever  modifications  of  action  they  may  be ; 
and  true  philosophy  cannot  recognize  a  negative  sedative. 
All  salutary  agents  are  therefore  to  be  considered  as  acting 
4 


22 

to  the  production  of  healthy  excitation — super-excitation — or 
ab-excitation — according  to  their  degrees  of  application  to, 
and  reception  by,  the  nervous  organization.  The  highest 
and  lowest  degrees  of  their  application,  develope  pathologi- 
cal phenomena  widely  difiering  from  each  other,  and  re- 
quiring widely  different  medications,  for  their  elimination; 
which  will  be  duly  considered,  as  we  progress.  But  as  this 
is  a  subject  on  which  medical  philosophers  widely  differ 
in  opinion ;  and  as  the  most  of  them  are  strenuous  advo- 
cates for  the  sedative  doctrine,  it  may  be  considered  ne- 
cessary to  examine  it  a  little  more  in  detail,  to  render  our 
proposition  acceptable  to  nature,  reason,  and  common  sense; 
as  every  disputable  subject  must  be  brought  to  these  stand- 
ards, before  it  can  be  generally  recognized  and  accepted. 
Caloric  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  natural  stimuli, 
both  for  the  production  and  continuance  of  vitality: — in  due 
degree,  indispensably  necessary; — in  a  very  exalted  degree, 
productive  of  such  pathological  condition,  as  may  paralyze 
the  vital  energies  of  the  system  entirely  beyond  their  power 
of  instituting  recuperative  excitation,  and  thus  terminate  vi- 
tality; — and  in  a  very  diminished  degree,  productive  of  such 
depression  or  congestion  of  the  vital  energies  of  the  system, 
as  to  render  the  institution  of  reaction  equally  impossible; — 
and  life  is  extinguished  therefore  in  both  cases,  however  dif- 
ferent the  pathological  conditions: — the  first  arising  from 
the  deleterious  consequences  of  super-excitement,  terminating 
in  such  indirect  debility,  as  prevents  recuperative  excita- 
tion : — the  second,  from  the  paralyzing  operation  of  cold, 
or  the  abstraction  of  caloric,  in  such  lowered  degree,  as 
equally  inhibits  the  production  of  recuperative  excitations. 
But,  in  neither  of  these  pathological  states,  is  there  any  se- 
dative influence  exerted  for  their  production.  As  long  as 
life  lasts,  it  lasts  through  the  reception  and  action  of  appro- 
priate stimulus,  on  and  in,  our  nervous  organization  ; — how- 
ever much  above,  or  below,  the  normal  standard  of  excita- 
tion, it  may  be  applied,  without  positively  extinguishing  to- 
tal vitality.     The  same  reasoning  applies  to  all  the  natural 


28 

salutary  stimuli : — when  in  due  degree,  they  produce  healthy 
excitation,  in  healthy  organizations  ; — when  in  undue  degree, 
either  above  or  below  the  healthy  standard  of  action,  they 
produce  pathological  phenomena  in  the  manner  mentioned. 
The  noxious  stimuli  act  very  differently  on  the  organization; 
being  poisonous  and  malignant  in  their  composition,  they 
effect  their  entrance  into,  and  commit  their  ravages  on  and 
in  the  system,  of  course  through  their  stimulant  operation 
exclusively ; — but  at  the  same  time,  poison  and  weaken  the 
parts  involved  in  the  circle  of  their  location: — and  in  all 
cases,  produce  depressions  and  congestions  of  their  vital  en- 
ergies, constituting  the  true  pathological  conditions  sequen- 
tial to  the  application  of  noxious  stimuli.  We  consider, 
therefore,  that  the  doctrines  intended  to  be  developed  and 
promulgated,  by  such  medical  philosophers  as  have  written 
on  debility  and  sedation,  are  grounded  on  erroneous  philo- 
sophy;— whether  restricted  to  the  consideration  of  the  vital 
operations  arising  from  the  application  to  the  nervous  sys- 
tem, of  salutary  or  noxious  stimuli,  either  in  their  highest 
or  lowest  degrees.  Debility,  direct,  indirect,  or  metastatic; — 
the  direct  or  indirect  causes  of  sedation,  enumerated  by  such 
writers,  can  therefore  receive  no  satisfactory  elucidation,  ex- 
cept by  and  through  the  principles  of  our  own  philosophy; 
which  recognizes  the  existence  of  no  sedative  agents,  either 
amongst  the  natural  and  appropriate  agents  of  healthy  vita- 
lity, in  whatsoever  manner  or  degree  applied  ; — or  amongst 
the  noxious  stimuli,  productive  of  morbid  vitality,  in  what- 
ever manner  or  degree  applied; — or  amongst  the  affective, 
or  moral  emotions,  or  mental  passions,  as  grief,  fear,  despair, 
&c.  &c. — for  these,  and  all  other  painful  sensations,  are  pa- 
thological conditions; — not  causes  of  sedation; — they  are  in 
themselves  sedation,  or  would  be  so,  if  such  term  were  de- 
manded by  veritable  philosophy. 

We  have  thus  established  all  the  propositions  self-evidently 
and  indispensably  necessary  to  the  philosophic  investigation 
of  all  the  diseases,  or  morbid  sensibilities,  that  flesh  and  blood 
are  heir  to. 


24 

We  shall  therefore  commence  our  investigation  of  disease 
by  observing,  although  by  way  of  repetition,  that  it  must  be 
very  evident  to  every  medical  philosopher  much  conversant 
with  the  operations  of  the  vital  organization  of  man  both  in 
his  healthy  and  diseased  states,  that  positive  demonstration 
to  much  extent  in  the  science  of  medicine,  can  never  be  at- 
tained. But,  although  it  be  thus  evident,  that  mathematical 
certainly  in  our  science  must  ever  be  unattainable,  yet  we 
have  the  exalted  satisfaction  of  knowing,  that  by  the  intelli- 
gent and  judicious  application  and  management  of  the  prin- 
ciples developed  by  the  self-evident  propositions  constituting 
our  philosophy,  we  may  reach  all  the  demonstration  that 
Deity  intended  man  should  attain  to,  during  his  probationary 
continuance  in  time.  And  if  we  simply  reflect,  that  by  the 
very  nature  of  our  being,  we  are  unavoidably  limited  in  our 
analytic  investigations,  to  such  tangible  material  substances 
as  are  within  the  reach  of  our  recognition  and  appreciation; 
and  that  we  are  therefore  totally  unimpowered  to  resolve 
any  of  the  animated  existences  above  or  below  us  into  their 
constituent  elements,  we  should  as  wise  philosophers  here 
in  time,  humbly  await  our  translation  to  the  ethereal  crea- 
tions, where,  and  when,  under  the  bright  lights  of  eternal 
illumination,  we  shall  have  clearly  revealed  to  us,  all  the 
mysteries  of  all  the  creations.  Let  us  then,  as  wise  inves- 
tigators should  do,  make  the  most  of  what  we  do,  or  can,  be 
made  to  know,  by  and  through  the  inductive  method  of  ra- 
tiocination required  by  our  series  of  self-evident  propositions, 
in  studying  the  nervous  system  more  scientifically  and  con- 
sistent with  the  true  philosophy  of  our  organization  ;  that  we 
may  arrive  at  more  of  certainty  than  we  now  possess,  to  guide 
us  to  more  philosophical  and  successful  practice; — for  the 
accomplishment  of  which  glorious  and  benevolent  purpose, 
the  grand  aim  and  end  of  all  our  medical  researches,  we 
should  have  all  our  intellectual  energies  in  full  and  untiring 
requisition. 

We  shall  therefore  proceed  in  unfolding  to  palpable  ob- 
servation, such  principles  of  m.edical  philosophy,  as  will, 


25 

when  put  in  judicious  requisition  by  intelligent  practitioners, 
inevitably  lead  to  the  accomplishment  of  all  the  successful 
practice,  that,  that  part  of  the  organization  of  man,  which  is 
destined  to  extinction  in  time,  will  now,  or  ever,  can  per- 
mit. As  sensibility  then,  is  that  power  or  property,  inherent 
in  the  organization  by,  and  through,  the  operations  of  which, 
all  stimulations,  salutary  and  noxious,  effect  their  entrance 
into  the  system,  it  follows,  that  all  diseases  must  arise  either 
from  salutary  stimuli  applied  to  our  nervous  organization, 
in  degrees,  above,  or  below,  the  standard  of  salutary  excita- 
tion, or  from  the  direct  application  of  noxious  stimuli,  to  the 
sentient  extremities  of  the  nerves  of  some  part,  or  parts,  of 
the  external  or  infernal  tissues,  of  the  animal  economy, 
thereby  producing  such  morbid  sensibility,  as  constitutes 
the  true  pathological  phenomena.  To  resolve  the  patholo- 
gized  conditions  of  tiie  organization,  or  the  stimuli  produc- 
tive of  them,  into  mathematical  demonstration,  we  must  ad- 
mit, to  be  now,  and  forever,  impossible.  Yet,  we  do  know 
positively  and  demonstrably,  that  whatever  the  aggregate  of 
such  pathological  phenomena,  thus  induced  in  the  vitality  of 
the  part,  or  parts,  receptive  of  them,  mny  be, — that  they 
constitute  the  sum  total,  or  essential  nature,  of  the  diseased 
or  morbid  sensibilities,  primarily,  progressively,  and  ulti- 
mately considered,  whether  terminating  in  health  or  de- 
struction. 

All  diseases  therefore  consist  of  morbid  sensibilities  of  the 
part,  or  parts,  recipient  of  their  causative  agents.  When 
arising  from  salutary  stimuli  acting  in  an  excessive  degree, 
the  depressions  and  congestions  of  vital  power,  thence  aris- 
ing, may  be  characterized  by  the  term  indirect  debility: — 
and  when  arising  from  such  stimuli  acting  in  a  very  dimin- 
ished degree,  the  depressions  and  congestions  of  nervous  or 
vital  energy  thence  ensuing,  are  to  be  characterized  by  the 
term  direct  debility: — and  all  the  depressions  and  conges- 
tions of  the  vital  energies,  sequential  to  the  application  of 
all  the  noxious  stimuli,  may  with  equal  propriety  be  charac- 
terized by  the  same  term; — because,  all  such  stimuli  from 


26 

their  primal  invasion  of  the  organization,  derange,  weaken, 
depress,  and  congest,  the  vital  energies  of  the  part  or  parts, 
receptive  of  them,  in  a  direct  and  positive  manner; — with- 
out any  impediment  to  their  ravaging  progress,  except  such 
as  arises  from  the  resisting  or  conservative  powers  of  the  or- 
ganization thus  assailed. 

The  patliological  plienomena  thus  induced,  in  many  cases, 
admit  of  satisfactory  demonstration  to  much  extent; — and  in 
all  cases,  hy  due  investigation  of  the  nature,  and  modus  ope- 
randi of  their  causes,  become  very  palpably  manifest  to  phi- 
losophic observation  and  recognition.  All  diseases  are  there- 
fore to  be  characterized  exclusively  by  the  states  of  the  de- 
pressions and  congestions  of  the  vitality  of  the  part  or  parts, 
recipient  of  either  the  deleterious  operations  consequent  to 
the  application  of  salutary  stimuli  in  excess  or  deficiency; — 
or  of  such  as  are  sequential  to  the  direct  application  of  noxious 
agents,  to  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization,  either  in  a 
primary,  sympathetic,  or  secondary  sense  considered.     We 
thus  open  to  philosophic  observation  the  nature  and  charac- 
ter of  all  diseases  whatever; — from  the  slightest  abrasions  of 
the  skin,  to  the  most  extensive  wounds; — and  from  the 
slightest  ephemeral  fevers,  as  they  are  erroneously  denomi- 
nated, to  the  most  overwhelming  prostrations  and  conges- 
tions of  the  vital  energies,  constituting  the  most  malignant 
plagues,  yellow  fevers,  choleras,  &c.     They  are  all  depres- 
sions and  congestions  of  the  vital  energies  of  the  part,  or 
parts,  involved  in  the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting  them, 
of  which  the  cerebral  centre  of  the  organization  becomes 
percipient  sooner  or  later,  in  all  cases  where  itself  has  not 
been  attacked,  to  the  paralyzing  or  irrecuperative  extent,  by 
the  causative  agents; — and  raises  recuperative  excitations  for 
eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities,  sooner  or  later,  or  ne- 
ver, according  to  the  nature  or  state  of  the  depressions  and 
congestions ; — characterized,  as  already   mentioned,  by  the 
terms  direct  or  indirect  debility.     The  recuperative  excita- 
tions raised  by  the  conservative  powers  of  the  nervous  or- 
ganization, for  resolving  and  eliminating  the  morbid  sensi- 


27 

bilities  from  whatsoever  cause  or  causes  arising,  and  wliether 
characterized  by  direct  or  indirect  debility,  are  principally 
manifested  in  all  the  circulations  subservient  to  the  nutrition, 
assimilation,  preservation,  and  continuation,  of  organic  and 
animal  vitality. 

The  recuperative  excitations  thus  raised  by  the  conserva- 
tive powers  of  nature,  for  resolving  and  expelling  morbid 
sensibilities  from  whatsoever  source  or  sources  originating, 
are  invariably  characterized  by  a  more  or  less  sthenic  or 
asthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation,  which,  in  either  case,  if 
suffered  to  continue  unchecked,  or  not  duly  regulated,  by 
appropriate  medication,  may  run  to  the  production  of  such 
congestions  and  destructions  as  demonstrably  determine  the 
ravaging  extension  and  mastery  of  the  pathological,  over  the 
recuperative  phenomena  of  the  organization.  As  all  the 
morbid  sensibilities,  constituting  all  diseases,  from  whatso- 
ever causes  arising,  are  to  be  exclusively  eliminated  from 
the  organization,  through  its  secretory  and  excretory  appa- 
ratus;— the  indispensable  necessity  of  recognizing  and  ap- 
preciating philosophically  the  conservative  powers  exercised 
by  the  organization,  when  under  the  deleterious  influences 
of  morbid  sensibilities,  will  readily  be  admitted.  The  high 
importance  therefore  of  this  portion  of  our  philosophy,  will 
meet  with  its  correspondently  merited  attention,  and  satis- 
factory illustration,  as  we  proceed.  Let  it  suffice  at  present 
to  observe,  that  all  the  pathological  phenomena,  constituting 
all  the  diseases  to  which  the  organization  of  man  is  subject, 
from  exposure  to  any  or  all  of  the  numerous  and  various  ex- 
ternal causative  agents  so  frequently  surrounding  and  assail- 
ing him  ; — or  from  his  exposure  to  those,  (however  remote 
their  primary  causes,)  that  are  engendered  by  morbid  action, 
consecutively  induced,  deep  in  the  interior  of  the  system; — 
that  are  accompanied  or  succeeded,  sooner  or  later,  by  re- 
cuperative excitations  of  the  conservative  powers  of  nature; 
have  been  erroneously  considered,  by  all  medical  philoso- 
phers, as  constituting  the  very  essences  of  most  of  the  dis- 
eases of  mankind.     But,  that  this  is  erroneous  philosophy. 


28 

and  such  philosophy  as  has  through  all  ages  kept  the  medical 
world  enwrapped  in  utter  darkness,  will  conclusively  ap- 
pear, from  the  simple  consideration,  that  many  of  the  patho- 
logical phenomena  arising  from  many  of  the  noxious  agents, 
deaden  the  vital  energies  of  the  organization,  in  such  an  ex- 
tensive and  concentrated  manner,  as  to  utterly  preclude  its 
cerebro-spinal  centres,  from  instituting  inflammations  or 
fevers,  or  even  the  abortive  spasmodic  and  convulsive  recupe- 
rative excitations; — proving  thus  incontrovertibly,  that  irri- 
tations, and  inflammations,  and  fevers,  are  such  recuperative 
excitations,  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  of  the  organi- 
zation, as  are  in  all  diseases,  arising  from  all  causes,  indis- 
pensably necessary  for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities 
constituting  them.  Irritations,  and  inflammations  and  fevers, 
are  therefore  salutary,  not  diseased  actions.  They  are  such 
actions,  raised  by  the  conservative  powers,  as  are  exclusively 
necessary  to  efiect  the  elimination  of  all  diseases,  through 
the  secretory  and  excretory  apparatus  of  the  organization; — 
consequently,  all  abortive  recuperation  must  be  conducted 
by  appropriate  medication,  to  this, — the  only  legitimate 
standard  of  expulsion,  which  can  be  raised  by  the  conserva- 
tive energies  of  the  organization,  when  pathologized  from 
whatsoever  cause  or  causes.  We  observe  then,  that  from 
whatever  causative  agents  the  morbid  sensibilities  consti- 
tuting diseases  may  have  arisen ;  that  the  inflammations  or 
fevers  instituted  by  the  conservative  powers  for  their  elimi- 
nation, are  the  same  recuperative  efforts,  acting  with  more 
or  less  effect,  in  a  manner  strictly  corresponding  with  the 
characteristic  nature  of  the  causative  agents,  or  the  states  of 
predisposition  in  the  organization  to  their  reception, — or 
both.  The  causative  agents  which  originate  epidemic  dis- 
eases of  the  higher  grades,  are,  for  instance,  much  more  con- 
centrated as  to  quantity,  and  morbific  as  to  quality,  than  the 
causes  productive  of  the  more  ordinary  diseases  termed 
febrile ; — and  the  systems  of  many  persons  constantly  resi- 
dent within  the  sphere  of  their  activity,  possess  much  higher 
susceptibilities  to  the  reception  of  the  morbid  sensibilities 


29 

imparted  by  the  noxious  agents,  than  those  resident  in  heal- 
thier localities,  and  productive  of  the  more  ordinary  febrile 
diseases,  as  they  are  erroneously  denominated: — still,  the 
fevers,  or  inflammations,  or  both,  raised  by  the  conservative 
powers  for  their  elimination,  whenever  they  are  not  para- 
lyzed to  the  irrecuperative  extent,  are  to  be  philosophically 
considered  identical,  in  the  sense,  that  they  are  all  such  recu- 
perative excitations  as  the  conservative  powers  are  capable 
of  instituting,  whether  characterized  by  more  or  less  sthenic, 
or  asthenic  action.  Every  observant  and  philosophic  prac- 
titioner during  the  prevalence  of  epidemic  yellow  fevers 
must  have  noticed,  that  in  very  many  cases,  the  noxious 
agents  possess  such  concentratedly  stimulant  malignancy  of 
composition,  as  to  overwhelm  and  prostrate  the  vital  energies 
of  the  important  vital  organs  receptive  of  them,  to  such 
paralyzing  extent,  that  the  salutary  exertions  of  nature  are 
but  feebly  and  unavaiiingly  operative,  in  raising  recuperative 
excitations;  and  that  in  many  cases,  the  vital  energies  are 
positively  deadened  at  once,  to  tlie  preclusive  extent  of  con- 
servative operation.  All  pathological  phenomena  therefore, 
arising  from  all  causes,  whether  they  are  accompanied,  or 
sooner  or  later  succeeded,  by  recuperative  excitations  or  not, 
will  evince  to  philosophic  observation  a  depressed  and  con- 
gested state  of  the  vital  powers  of  the  part  or  parts  occupied 
by  them,  to  greater  or  less  extent.  If  this  depression  and 
congestion  be  in  moderate  degree,  the  recuperative  powers 
soon  arise,  and  restore  the  energies  of  the  vital  part  or  parts 
implicated  in  the  diseased  actions,  by  increasing  through  the 
nervous  sympath)'-,  radically  operative,  in  the  cerebro-spinal 
centres  of  innervation,  the  energies  of  the  general  and  capil- 
lary circulations,  and  consequently  the  energies  of  all  such 
secretory  and  excretory  apparatus,  as  may  be  required  for 
expelling  from  the  organization  the  deranged  and  disordered 
sensibilities  originated  by  the  morbific  agents.  If  the  de- 
pression and  congestion  of  nervous  energy  be  in  greater  de- 
gree, the  recuperative  powers  will  be  excited  in  such  correa- 
ponding  proportion,  as  to  occasion  such  violent  febrile  or 
5 


80 

inflammatory  action,  or  both,  as  may  or  may  not  eliminate 
the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting  the  disease,  even  with 
the  aid  of  appropriate  medication.  And  when  the  noxious 
stimuli  have  been  applied  in  an  excessively  high  state  of 
concentration,  the  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  vital 
energies  of  the  part  or  parts  recipient  of  them,  will  be  so 
overwhelming,  as  in  many  cases  to  preclude  the  conservative 
powers  from  instituting  any  other  than  the  feeblest  and  most 
unavailing  recuperative  excitation;  and  in  many  such  cases, 
from  exciting  any  recuperative  action  at  all  .for  expelling  the 
morbid  sensibilities,  even  with  the  aid  of  the  most  appro- 
priately philosophic  medication. 

Cases  illustrative  of  these  propositions  may  readily  be  ad- 
verted to  by  every  experienced  philosophic  practitioner,  and 
all  the  gradations  of  depression  and  congestion  of  one,  or 
more,  of  the  departments  of  the  organization  when  assailed 
by  causative  agents,  may  be  adduced  from  all  the  varied 
specifications  of  fever,  enumerated  by  all  the  nosologists. 
Epidemic  yellow  fevers  whenever  occurring,  will  furnish 
numerous  cases  of  them  for  all  philosophic  and  satisfactory 
illustration ;  showing  the  depressive  and  congestive  effects  of 
the  noxious  stimuli  originating  them,  from  the  slightest  de- 
grees of  morbid  sensibility,  to  the  irrecoverable  prostration 
of  the  vital  powers: — and  it  is  to  be  particularly  noted,  that, 
in  very  many  of  the  highest  grades  of  this  fever,  as  it  is 
called,  there  is  no  fever  at  all; — no  such  thing  as  salutary 
reaction,  as  it  is  denominated,  raised  by  the  conservative 
powers; — but  instead  thereof,  a  total  torpor  or  paralysis  of 
the  nervous  powers  of  the  organization  has  occurred  ;  and  in 
fact  in  many  cases,  an  incipient  dissolution  or  putrefaction 
of  the  vital  organs  involved  in  the  morbid  sensibilities  has 
occurred,  utterly  beyond  the  power  of  any  recuperative  ex- 
citation, aided  ever  so  much,  by  ever  so  potent,  and  appro- 
priate medication. 

These  highly  congestive  cases  of  morbid  sensibility,  arising 
from  highly  concentrated  morbific  agents,  are  beautifully  and 
conclusively  demonstrative   of  the  conservative  power  of 


81 

nature  resident  in,  and  exclusively  exercised  by,  the  nervous 
organization  in  all  cases,  where  the  noxious  stimuli  have 
been  positively  applied  to  such  paralyzing  and  deadening 
extent,  as  to  totally  prevent  recuperative  excitation  ; — for  it 
is  to  be  particularly  noted,  that  whenever  the  paralyzed  and 
deadened  sensibilities  constituting  these  highest  grades,  are 
removed  by  appropriate  medications,  febrific  excitations  are 
instituted  by  such  medications;  which,  under  the  continued 
controul  and  direction  of  the  appropriate  therapeutical  philo- 
sophy pertaining  to,  and  demanded  by  them,  restore  the  dis- 
eased sensibilities  to  their  accustomed  salubrity; — proving  to 
demonstration,  that  all  fevers  and  inflammations  are  recu- 
perative excitations  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  of 
nature,  for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities. 

We  consider  it  therefore  as  conclusively  proved,  that  there 
is  a  conservative  power  in  the  nervous  system  of  man,  con- 
stantly operative,  from  the  creation  until  the  total  extinction 
of  our  nervous,  vital  organization,  in  time.  It  must  indeed 
be  confessed,  that  the  much  derided  vis  medicatrix  naturae, 
arose  from  hypothetical  speculations,  simply  and  naturally 
deducible  from  observation  of  the  vital  operations  of  the  or- 
ganization ;  more  particularly  when  in  a  diseased  condition, 
as  exercising  a  sanatary  influence  in  resisting  the  effects  of 
the  pathological  phenomena,  and  eliminating  them  from  the 
system.  But  this  opinion,  thus  originating  from  simple  ob- 
servation, without  much  aid  from  anatomical  or  physiological 
knowledge,  to  lead  to  its  recognition,  detracts  nothing  from 
the  merit  of  the  great  natural  physician,  who  first  taught  and 
deduced  from  it,  such  principles  of  practice,  as  have  had 
more  or  less  sway  over  the  opinions  and  practices  of  all  his 
successors,  however  much  they  may  have  affected  to  consi- 
der its  ground-work  to  have  been  hypothetical  and  falla- 
cious. But,  we  of  the  present  day,  guided  by  the  bright 
lights  of  a  numerous  host  of  anatomists,  physiologists,  and 
pathologists,  have  incontrovertible  reasons  for  acknowledging 
and  appreciating  the  salutary  operations  of  the  vis  conserv. 
naturse,  evidenced  in  the  organization  during  health  and  dis- 


32 

ease.  Indeed,  the  healthy  power  of  nature,  evidenced  dur- 
ing the  existence  of  the  pathological  condition  in  any  and 
every  case  of  it,  becomes  palpable  to  philosophic  observation; 
and  self-evidently  arises  from  the  inevitable  recognition  of 
the  nervous  power  being  the  whole  power  productive  of  all 
the  varied  operations  pertaining  to  all  animal  and  organic 
life.  As  long  as  life  lasts,  it  lasts  through  the  operation  of 
appropriate  stimuli  on  and  in  the  organization  to  whatsoever 
extent,  positively  short  of  extinction  here  in  time,  it  may 
become  pathologized  from  whatever  cause  or  causes. 

It  must  therefore  be  confessed,  that  all  our  medical  studies 
should  begin  and  end  with  the  study  of  the  nervous  system; — 
as  it  exclusively  originates  and  continues  all  the  actions  of 
the  organizations  necessary  to  be  performed,  which  lead  and 
pertain  to  the  fecundation  of  the  orgasmal  products  elicited 
by  the  venereal  congress; — conducts  their  growth  and  de- 
velopment to  the  maturity  of  manhood,  till  extinction  in  old 
age,  and  constantly  exercises  not  only  a  conservative  power 
in  the  reception  of  appropriate  salutary  stimuli  during  this 
long  series  of  animated  existence;  but  opposes  the  introduc- 
tion of  noxious  stimuli,  and  when  unable  to  prevent  their 
entrance,  exercises  all  its  powers  of  resistance  for  effecting 
their  elimination. 

We  are  therefore  warranted  in  concluding,  that  irritations, 
inflammations  and  fevers,  are  conservative  efforts  of  nature 
identical  in  their  general  character,  and  absolutely  necessary 
in  all  cases,  of  all  diseases  whatever,  however  local,  or  ge- 
neral they  may  be, — for  eliminating  the  morbid  effects,  of  the 
morbific  stimuli,  which  originated  them  ;  and  that  in  all  cases, 
where  the  conservative  powers  are  incapable  of  instituting 
such  salutary  operations,  death  of  one  or  more  parts,  or,  of 
the  whole  organization,  as  the  case  may  be,— will  sooner  or 
later,  be  the  inevitable  sequent. 

The  philosophy  therefore  of  the  resistance  manifested  by 
the  conservative  power  of  nature  when  assailed  by  noxious 
agents,  is  self-evidently  resident  and  inherent  in  the  nervous 
organization  of  man, — the  cerebral  centre  of  which  is  not 


33 

only  sensitively  perceptive,  but  often  successfully  resistive, 
not  only  of  the  deleterious  operations  of  the  noxious  agents 
while  exposed  to  them,  before  they  efiect  their  entrance  into 
the  system,  but  after  they  have  effected  their  location,  on  or 
in  it,  exercises  the  same  resisting  power  and  curative  agency 
for  dislodging  and  expelling  the  pathological  phenomena. 

The  vis  conservatrix  naturaj,  therefore,  is  no  hypothesis ; 
but  eductive  from  the  operations  manifested  to  philosophic 
observation  and  appreciation,  palpably  pertaining  to  every 
department  of  what  is  called  organic,  and  especially  animal 
life. 

In  the  establishment  therefore,  of  all  our  self-evident  pro- 
positions, leading  directly  and  irresistibly  to  the  full  com- 
prehension and  appreciation  of  the  whole  of  the  true  phi- 
losophy of  medicine, — we  have  had  no  recourse  to  the  cre- 
ation of  any  imaginary  metaphysical  entities;  but  have  in- 
controvertibly  proved,  that  the  laws  creative,  regulative,  and 
continuative  of  vitality,  although  not  so  positively  adr/.issi- 
ble  of  positive  mathematical  demonstration, — are  yet  more 
palpable  to  philosophic  observation  and  satisfactory  cppre- 
ciation,  than  are  the  laws  of  gravity  governing  the  motions 
of  the  physical  bodies  composing  the  material  universe,  al- 
though partially  subject  to  analytic  demonstration. 

We  have  thus  cleared  the  way  for  studying  as  philosophi- 
cally and  consequently  successfully  the  science  of  medi- 
cine, as  the  nature  and  operations  of  the  vital  organization 
will  now,  or  ever  can  permit; — and  have  the  only  true 
foundation  laid,  for  improving  ourselves  in  physiology,  pa- 
thology, and  therapeutics.  We  thus  present  to  the  medical 
profession  a  beautiful  series  of  self-evident  propositions,  un- 
folding to  them  principles  equally  self-evident,  that  irresisti- 
bly lead  to  the  satisfactory  illustration  of  every  thing,  per- 
taining to  every  department  of  the  science  of  medicine, 
which  is  demanded  by  its  true  philosophy.  And  well  may 
we  consider  it  the  true  philosophy,  because  inevitably  arising 
from  surveying  the  varied  operations  pertaining  to  the  orga- 
nization, particularly  in  its  salutary  state,  all  acting  to  the 


34 

production  of  one  harmonious  whole  system  of  vitah'ty-^to 
the  production  of  unity — not  plurality  of  being.  The  phe- 
nomena which  have  been  so  copiously  presented  to  observa- 
tion, through  dissections  of  the  dead  body,  respecting  the 
varied  organic  structures  composing  the  system  of  man; — 
and  the  varied  experiments  which  have  been  performed  by 
vivisection  of  animals,  respecting  the  varied  operations  of 
such  varied  organization,  m.aking  every  allowance  for  the 
fallaciousness  of  observations  thus  elicited,  are  surely  to  be 
considered  as  effecting  such  an  approach  to  certainty,  as  to 
warrant  us  in  concluding,  that  there  must  be  an  all-pervading 
unity  of  nervous  power,  inherent  and  operative,  in  and 
through  the  total  organization,  for  the  production  of  all  its 
vital  operations,  however  variously  presented  for  recognition 
in  its  salutary  or  pathologized  conditions.  Most  assuredly, 
it  will  not  be  denied,  that  all  the  operations  of  the  perfect 
organization  in  its  healthy  condition,  however  diversifiedly 
they  may  be  presented  to  observation,  result  in  the  produc- 
tion of  one  beautiful  harmonious  whole  system  of  vitality; — 
and  can  such  harmonious  system  of  vitality,  be  the  product 
of  a  plurality  of  radical  vital  powers,  inherent  and  operative, 
in  the  composition  of  man?  Such  supposition  is  totally  re- 
pugnant to  all  the  knowledge  which  we  can  receive  of 
Deity,  through  the  operations  of  such  vitalities  as  he  has 
presented  to  our  observation,  in  all  his  vital  creations  within 
our  cognizance; — and  equally  repugnant  to  all  the  knowledge 
which  he  has  communicated  to  us  through  revelation,  re- 
specting our  destiny  here  and  hereafter. 

This  reasoning  is  undeniably  legitimate; — and  the  more  it 
is  varied  and  extended,  the  more  confirmatory  will  be  its  ra- 
tional deductions ; — deductions  inevitably  compelling  us  to 
recognize  all  the  vital  phenomena  pertaining  to  the  organi- 
zation, as  emanating  from  one  only  radical  vital  power  ho- 
mogeneously operative,  when  philosophically  considered,  to 
the  production  of  our  unity  of  being  here,  and  through  its  per- 
fectionating  operativeness  of  our  being,  forever.  By  talented 
medical  philosophers,  these  propositions  and  the  principles 


85 

arising  from  them,  will  be  duly  recognized,  estimated,  and 
admitted,  as  conclusively  unfolding  the  philosophy  of  medi- 
cine to  intuitive  demonstration.  Sceptics  may  deny — not 
disprove  them: — may  deny  our  radical  proposition,  that  the 
nervous  system  is  the  whole  system  of  man  ; — let  them  pro- 
duce all  the  arguments  which  may  be  suggested  by  their 
knowledge  and  ingenuity  in  support  of  such  denial; — we 
have  our  refutation  of  them  at  hand.  To  all  such  sceptics, 
we  would  simply  direct  attention  to  the  compact  condensa- 
tion of  nervous  power,  inherent  and  operative,  in  the  cord 
connecting  the  Siamese  twins — constituting  through  one  me- 
dium, a  duplicate  of  mortal  and  immortal  life,  operating  to 
the  production  of  simultaneous,  voluntary,  and  involuntary 
motions,  of  simultaneous  affective  emotions,  and  intellectual 
operations; — and  all  from  such  respective  simultaneity  of 
sensations,  as  are  required  for  the  production  of  such  dupli- 
cate unity  of  vital  action  : — proving  that  such  simultaneity  of 
sensation,  must  have  been  inherent  and  operative  in  their 
reproductive  germs;  and  proving  conclusively  that  such  du- 
plicate unity  of  vitality,  cannot  be,  in  any  other  manner, 
originated  and  perfected, — for  reasons  which  vyill  be  obvious 
to  the  philosophic  physician,  who  recognizes,  that  the  con- 
necting medium  of  such  duplicate  organization,  must  be,— 
between  the  organs  of  nutrition  and  assimilation  of  the  two 
beingSj — to  render  them  operative  to  such  unity  of  action. 
These  interesting  beings  have  warm  and  affectionate  feelings 
for  each  other,  to  such  extent,  that  they  have  never  been 
known  to  utter  an  angry  word  towards  each  other ; — indeed 
they  never  have  any  conversation  with  each  other,  beyond 
a  single  remark, — and  why?  They  cannot  be  separately  en- 
gaged in  conversations  with  different  individuals,  because 
they  are  both  irresistibly  inclined  to  direct  their  attention  to 
the  same  thing,  at  the  same  time, — and  why?  Why  are  all 
their  employments  and  amusements  always  of  the  same  kind? 
Why  are  they  pleased,  or  displeased,  similarly  and  simulta- 
neously? Why  have  they  invariably  similar  desires  and  aver- 
sions,— experience  the  same  sensations  of  hunger  and  thirst. 


86 

at  the  same  time,  and  take  the  same  quantities  of  food  and 
drink  for  allaying  them?  and  wliy  do  they  desire  sleep  si- 
multaneously, and  awake  at  the  same  moment?  Can  such  ho- 
mogeneity of  feeling,  thinking,  and  acting,  thus  simulta- 
neously manifested  to  philosophic  observation,  arise  through 
any  other  source  than  a  community  of  nervous  power,  ope- 
rative in  and  through  the  connecting  medium  of  their  dupli- 
cate organization?  These  questions  need  no  answers,  and 
preclude  the  necessity  of  adducing  further  reasoning  to  quiet 
sophistry.  We  shall  therefore  proceed  to  illustrate  our  pro- 
positions more  fully  and  satisfactorily,  by  bestowing  some 
considerations  on  the  causes,  symptoms,  and  principles  of 
treatment,  of  Epidemic  Yellow  Fevers,  Cholera,  Teta- 
nus, Hydrophobia,  and  several  other  diseases  of  highest 
grades;  because,  they  are  not  only  singularly  rich  in  the  pro- 
duction of  such  pathological  phenomena  as  characterize  in' 
many  respects,  the  highest  grades  of  many  other  fevers,  but 
because,  they  are  also  characterized  by  a  very  great  variety 
of  anomalous  and  singularly  variant  pathological  phenome- 
na, attended,  or  sooner  or  later  succeeded,  by  an  equal  va- 
riety of  singularly  anomalous  recuperative  phenomena;  and 
particularly  because,  in  many  cases  of  these  diseases,  the  or- 
ganization will  be  found  so  extensively  and  concentratedly 
pathologized,  as  to  totally  preclude  the  institution  of  any- 
recuperative  excitation  at  all. 

As  the  extent  of  our  design,  in  the  present  treatise,  will 
be  to  unfold  exclusively  the  outlines  of  the  philosophy  of 
medicine,  in  such  general  manner,  that  they  may  be  clearly 
apprehended  and  appreciated,  we  shall  commence  our  ana- 
lysis of  yellow  fever  with  observing,  that  by  and  through 
the  unerring  agency  of  the  inductive  method  of  ratiocination, 
adopted  by  a  numerous  host  of  distinguished  medical  practi- 
tioners during  the  last  forty  years,  in  their  investigations  of 
numerous  yellow  fever  epidemics  in  different  regions  of  the 
world;  results  satisfactory  to  themselves,  and  to  the  profes- 
sion in  general,  have  been  reached,  respecting  the  train  of 
causes  leading  to  the  production  of  such  noxious  stimuli,  as 


37 

originate  yellow  fevers  wherever  occurring.  By  tracing 
causes  to  their  effects,  and  effects  to  their  causes,  the  only 
legitimate  method  of  educting  conclusions  satisfactory  to  rea- 
son and  common  sense,  it  may  now  be  considered  as  ascer- 
tained, that  the  pathological  phenomena  characteristic  of 
yellow  fevers,  with  all  their  varieties  and  modifications,  are 
occasioned  by  the  noxious  gaseous  stimuli  engendered  during 
the  dissolution,  or.  putrefaction,  of  both  animal  and  vegeta- 
ble substances.  It  may  now  be  considered  as  conclusively 
demonstrated,  that  long-continued  heat,  varying  or  not,  from 
eighty  to  ninety  degrees,  or  upwards,  under  such  appropri- 
ate modification,  as  arises  from  a  close,  calm,  moist,  sultry 
state  of  weather,  acting  on  large  quantities  either  of  vegeta- 
ble or  animal  matters,  separately  or  conjunctly,  will  inevita- 
bly impregnate  the  surrounding  atmosjjhere  with  noxious 
stimulating  gaseous  miasmata,  sufficient  for  the  production 
of  the  most  concentrated  epidemic  yellow  fevers,  in  the 
densely  populated  parts  of  intertropical  and  tropicoid  towns 
and  cities;  or  in  similar  situations,  in  the  temperate  regions, 
when  all  these  favourable  circumstances  concur  to  act  in  ap- 
propriate conjunction.  It  may  be  considered  now  also  as  as- 
certained beyond  all  doubt,  that  it  is"  impossible  to  resolve 
these  noxious  stimuli  into  their  constituent  elements,  by  any 
chemical  or  other  philosophical  iTiachinery  within  man's 
reach  : — impossible  therefore  to  identify  the  homogeneity  of 
the  noxious  gaseous  miasmata  productive  of  yellow  fevers  in 
different  localities;  because  arising  in  such  different  locali- 
ties, from  the  decomposition  of  different  vegetable  and  ani- 
mal substances,  and  in  different  proportions  as  to  their  con- 
stituent properties  in  the  different  localities.  Until  there- 
fore we  can  demonstrate,  that  water  and  the  immense  variety 
of  different  animal  and  vegetable  e^jvistences,  which  in  differ- 
ent situations,  during  their  dissolution  or  putrefaction,  evolve 
such  noxious  miasmata  as  originate  yellow  fevers,  are  all  re- 
solvable and  convertible  into  identity  of  product,  by  such 
dissolution; — the  doctrine  of  their  gaseous  unity  must  be 
abandoned.  From  all  the  philosophic  examination  there- 
6 


38 

fore,  which  this  important  subject  is  capable  of  receiving, 
we  are  inevitably  led  to  the  conclusion,  that  such  vegeto- 
animal  miasmata  as  are  sufficiently  malignant  in  quality,  and 
concentrated  in  quantity,  to  originate  yellow  fevers,  must 
consist  of  a  highly  azotic  and  deleterious  combination  of  ga- 
seous products; — because  arising  from  the  dissolution  of 
such  immense  varieties  of  both  animal  and  vegetable  exis- 
tences, even  in  similar  localities.  As  these  gaseous  pro- 
ducts are  not  to  be  recognized  by  our  senses  in  a  manner 
sufficiently  definite  for  analysis,  by  any  philosophical  ma- 
chinery, we  must  remain  satisfied  with  positively  knowing 
the  source,  or  sources,  whence  the  deleterious  compound  ex- 
clusively originates;  and  that  by  the  industry  of  man  appro- 
priately directed,  it  may  be  in  general  mostly  avoided;  and' 
that  when  and  where  this  cannot  be  so  effectively  accom- 
plished, it  may  be  much  weakened  and  ameliorated,  by  ap- 
propriate antiseptic  applications,  within  the  sphere  of  its 
malignant  operations.  We  must  content  ourselves  with 
knowing  that  yellow  fever  occupies  the  front  rank, — the 
very  foreground  in  the  dismal  picture  of  pathological  phe- 
nomena incident  to  the  western  world; — and  that  all  the 
numerous  trains  of  bilious  fevers,  with  all  their  multiplied 
diversities  and  complexities  of  modification, — from  the 
mildest  ephem"eral  to  the  one  now  under  consideration,  arise 
in  a  general  sense  considered,  from  an  identical  destructive 
agency,  differing  exclusively  in  degree;  and  that  all  the  gra- 
duations of  all  bilious  and  yellow  fevers,  are  strictly  corres- 
pondent with  their  causative  graduations,  and  with  the  sus- 
ceptibilities of  the  persons  resident  within  the  sphere  of 
their  poisonous  operations; — consequently,  we  must  rest  sa- 
tisfied with  knowing,  that  all  the  deleterious  operations  of 
these  noxious  stimuli  when  applied  to, and  received  by,  any 
part  or  parts,  of  the  sentient  absorbing  nervous  organization 
of  man,  are  plainly  to  be  recognized  by  the  common  sense 
observation  of  all  true  medical  philosophers.  We  must 
therefore,  remain  satisfied  with  knowing  beyond  all  ques- 
tion, the  series  of  causes  directly  and  inevitably  leading  to 


39 

the  production  of  the  most  concentrated,  malignant,  and  de- 
structive yellow  fevers;  and  with  clearly  understanding  the 
reasons,  why  such  fevers  are  not  always,  even  in  the  same 
localities,  in  diCcrent  seasons,  equally  malignant  and  ravag- 
ing;, and  that  this,  as  well  as  all  other  epidemics,  are  more 
or  less  destructive,  in  a  manner  perfectly  corresponding  with 
the  greater  or  less  maturity  of  their  causes;  and  that  such 
graduated  maturity  of  causation  becomes  palpably  manifest 
to  philosophic  observation,  during  the  different  seasons  in 
which  such  epidemic- fevers  occur  in  similar  localities.  We 
may  well  content  ourselves  then,  with  knowing  fully,  the 
causes  wiiich  originate  these  epidemics  almost  annually  in 
New  Orleans,  and  many  other  southern  and  tropical  locali- 
ties; and  with  understanding  the  reasons  why  they  are  not 
originated  in  such  localities  at  all,  in  particular  seasons: — 
why  they  so  seldom  occur  in  the  temperate  regions — in  New 
York,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  Baltimore,  &c, ; — and  that 
when  they  do  occur  in  such  places,  they  are  found  to  have 
originated  from  causes  exactly  similar  to  such  as  originate 
them  in  southern  and  intertropical  regions,  and  equally  pal- 
pable to  philosophic  observation.  We  may  content  ourselves 
finally,  with  knowing  the  reasons  which  preclude  the  pro- 
duction of  such  epidemics  in  the  high  northern  and  southern 
latitudes;  and  that  we  plainly  recognize,  and  philosophically 
appreciate  the  reasons  which  prevent  the  origination  of  such 
epidemics  even  in  the  most  favoured  localities  for  their  pro- 
duction, during  all  the  uninterruptedly  hot  and  dry,  or  hot 
and  rainy  seasons,  in  such  localities. 

All  diseases  arise  from  material  causes,  in  a  solid,  liquid, 
or  gaseous  state; — and  it  is  the  positive  duty  of  medical  phi- 
losophers to  investigate  and  trace  these  causes  to  their  most 
satisfactory  results,  and  promulgate  them  to  the  world,  in 
such  maimer  that  they  may  be  clearly  understood,  and  duly 
appreciated  : — for  all  the  causes  of  all  such  diseases  as  are 
originated  by  the  external  noxious  stimuli,  whether  existing 
in. the  atmosphere,  or  on,  in,  or  under  the  earth,  or  from 
every  description  of  noxious  vegetable  or  animal  stimuli, 


40 

when  once  reached,  become  palpably  manifest,  not  only  to 
the  philosophic  recognition  of  scientific  physicians,  but  to 
the  ordinary  and  intelligent  portion  of  every  enlightened 
community.  The  mysteries  which  so  long  overshadowed 
the  causative  doctrine  pertaining  to  this  epidemic,  and  en- 
gendered such  acrimonious  contentions  between  medical 
philosophers,  have  been  forever  dispersed  by  the  bright  sun- 
shine of  inductive  research  ; — and  we  may  proudly  consider 
ourselves  as  enjoying  high  cause  for  congratulation  in  the 
reflection,  that  we  now  have  it  fully  in  our  power  to  display 
the  causative  doctrine  of  yellow  fever  to  the  intuition  of 
mankind  in  general. 

We  might  easily  adduce  a  great  number  of  instances  with- 
in our  own  immediate  observation  and  experience,  conclu- 
sively demonstrative  of  the  origin  of  yellow  fever,  either 
from  animal  or  vegetable  putrefaction,  separately.  That 
vegetable  putrefaction  in  sufficient  quantity,  under  the  unin- 
terrupted operation  of  the  necessary  series  of  favourable  cir- 
cumstances, continued  a  sufficient  term  of  time,  to  render 
the  morbid  miasmata  thence  ensuing,  appropriately  concen- 
trative  and  virulent,  will  produce  yellow  fever,  is  not  de- 
nied. That  this  disease  may  be  generated  by  the  reception 
of  morbid  miasmata  arising  from  putrefying  vegetable  masses, 
either  on,  in,  or  under  the  surface  of  the  earth,  when  not  too 
deep  for  the  penetration  of  the  solar  rays,  and  appropriate 
moisture,  is  not  denied: — but  it  has  been  fashionable  for 
many  years  past,  to  deny,  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Bancroft, 
and  many  other  physicians,  that  it  can  be  produced  by  the 
deleterious  miasmata  arising  from  animal  putrefaction.  Pro- 
fessor Parsons,  in  his  late  publication  on  malaria,  in  his  exa- 
mination of  this  subject,  has  conclusively  refuted  this  opinion, 
and  richly  deserves  the  commendation  of  our  profession  for 
having  so  satisfactorily  dispelled  this,  the  last  of  all  the  illu- 
sions, pertaining  to  the  causative  doctrine  of  this  baleful  pes- 
tilence ; — an  illusion  which,  for  many  years  past,  has  pre- 
vented it  from  being  philosophically  investigated,  and  satis- 
factorily settled.    And  we  may  now,  therefore,  congratulate 


41 

ourselves  with  the  consolatory  reflection,  that  the  hypothe- 
tical speculations  of  all  those  medical  philosophers  who  so 
acrimoniously  and  pertinaciously  advocated  the  contagious- 
ness of  yellow  fever,  may  be  considered  as  having  been 
triumphantly  and  demonstrably  refuted,  by  the  inductive 
researches  of  numerous  British  and  American  physicians  of 
distinguished  abilities,  who  during  the  last  forty  years  have 
so  nobly  immortalized  themselves  in  the  cause  of  humanity, 
during  their  meritorious  investigations  of  this  epidemic. 
This  important  conclusion  to  mankind  was  reached,  not  by 
closeted  speculations  upon  the  ipse  dixit  of  Dr.  Chisholm,  or 
any  other  of  the  advocates  for  contagion,  but  by  the  exer- 
cise of  plain  common  sense  and  observation,  directed  straight 
forward  to  the  causes  productive  of  it,  in  the  various  regions 
of  the  earth  where  it  has  occurred.  These  causes  have  thus 
been  demonstrably  traced  to  putrefaction,  either  of  animal 
or  vegetable  substances,  separately, — or  as  is  most  generally 
the  case,  to  a  combination  of  both  ; — therefore  more  philoso- 
phically entitled  to  the  appellative  of  vegeto-animal  mias- 
mata, than  to  the  more  modern  term  malaria. 

It  appears  astonishing  to  the  medical  philosophers «of  the 
present  day,  that  such  short-sighted  and  totally  unphiloso- 
phical  views  respecting  the  causes  of  this  epidemic,  should 
have  been  entertained  by  physicians  otherwise  eminently 
distinguished  for  medical  attainments: — astonishing  that  such 
physicians  with  the  desperation  of  fatality,  should  have  pri- 
marily located  the  grand  laboratory  for  the  manufacture  of 
yellow  fever,  for  exportation  to  other  regions, — in  ill-fated 
Siam  or  Bulam.  But  the  delusions  of  fatalism  have  passed 
by,  to  return  no  more: — true  philosophy  recognizes  no  re- 
lationship with  its  mysteries, — but  is  exclusively  under  the 
governance  of  reason  and  common  sense,  which  constitute 
the  true  foundation  for  all  such  inductive  ratiocination  in  our 
science  as  will  lead  us  to  satisfactory  demonstration. 

The  time  has  arrived  when  nothing  in  our  science  will  be 
received  as  truth,  except  it  has  attained  the  recognition  of 
common  sense,  through  the  unerring  operativeness  of  this 


42 

exclusively  legitimate  method  of  reasoning: — and  the  time 
is  rapidly  approaching,  when  the  causes  of  many  diseases 
now  enveloped  in  mystery,  will  by  this  natural  and  reason- 
able method  of  investigation,  be  fully  unfolded,  not  only  to 
the  thorough  comprehension  of  the  profession,  but  to  the  in- 
telligent portion  of  mankind  in  general,  to  much  extent  of 
utility.  To  enable  physicians  to  impart  with  facility  and 
consolatory  satisfaction  such  useful  knowledge  to  the  world, 
is  the  benevolent  object  of  our  present  treatise,  on  the  true 
philosophy  of  medicine; — a  philosophy  which,  when  com- 
pleted and  understood,  and  recognized  by  the  medical  pro- 
fession, will  fully  empower  them  with  the  ability  for  satis- 
factorily fulfilling  all  the  glorious  purposes  required  and  de- 
manded of  them,  as  legitimate  guardians  of  the  public  health. 
We  proceed  therefore  to  observe,  that  although  we  cannot 
resolve  the  salutary  stimuli,  or  many  of  them,  into  their  con- 
stituent elements,  or  recognize  and  appreciate  their  action, 
on,  in,  and  throughout  the  organization,  to  the  positive  cer- 
tainty of  mathematical  demonstration  ; — and  although  the 
noxious  stimuli  originative  of  yellow  fevers,  and  all  other 
epidemics,  are  to  be  positively  considered  as  irresolvable  into 
such  certainty  of  recognition; — yet,  under  the  inductive 
operativeness  resulting  from  our  investigations,  while  direct- 
ed by  reason  and  common  sense,  we  are  conducted  straight 
forward  to  the  acquisition  of  all  such  satisfactory  intuitive 
demonstration,  as  Deity  designed  man  to  reach  here  in  time. 
With  this  species  of  demonstration  we  must  rest  satisfied, 
because  it  is  amply  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  accomplish  all 
the  benevolent  purposes  required  of  us,  in  behalf  of  our  fel- 
low mortals,  during  their  present  state  of  being.  To  know 
more  than  we  can  attain  to  through  the  inductive  process  of 
reasoning,  would  require  our  initiation  into  the  mysteries  of 
the  celestial  creations.  We  are  unfolding  the  true  philosophy 
of  medicine,  and  assigning  to  medical  investigators  such 
limitary  boundaries  as- cannot  be  transcended  by  their  intel- 
lectual exertions.  We  have  therefore  intuitive  demonstra- 
tion, that  the  atmosphere  immediately  encircling  a  swampy 


43 

region,  skirted  with  rich,  rank,  luxurious  vegetable  produc- 
tions, and  teeming  with  innumerable  myriads  of  animal 
existences,  subject  to  unceasing  decomposition  and  recom- 
position,  will  inevitably,  under  the  appropriate  influences  of 
high  heat,  appropriate  moisture,  close,  sultry,  windless  state 
of  weather,  continued  uninterruptedly  for  several  weeks, 
become  impregnated  with  the  deleterious  vegeto-animal 
miasmata  under  such  circumstances  arising,  to  such  extent, 
that  when  applied  to  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization, 
the  said  part  or  parts  must  positively  suffer  depression  of 
their  vital  energies,  and  consequent  debility  and  derange- 
ment of  action.  The  healthy  physiological  actions  of  the 
parts  receptive  of  the  miasmata  are  debilitated  and  pervert- 
ed,— depression  and  congestion  of  their  nervous  energies 
are  the  instantaneous  sequents,  and  the  organization  becomes 
forthwith  pathologized  to  a  greater  or  less  extent; — corres- 
ponding in  all  cases  to  the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  noxious 
stimuli  which  have  entered  the  system,  and  the  ability  of  its 
conservative  power  to  resist  their  deleterious  operations. 
And  we  have  intuitive  demonstration  likewise,  that  identical 
effects,  from  identical  causes,  acting  on  sufficient  quantities, 
either  of  the  same  kind,  or  dissimilar  vegetable  and  animal 
substances,  in  the  crowded,  densely  populated,  and  ill-ven- 
tilated parts  of  the  towns  and  cities  of  the  intertropical, 
tropicoid,  or  temperate  regions,  when  unde'r  the  favourable 
influences  necessary  to  the  production  of  such  copious  de- 
composition as  above  mentioned,  will  inevitably,  when  un- 
interruptedly continued  a  sufficient  length  of  time,  saturate 
the  atmosphere  to  the  productive  extent  of  yellow  fever. 
This  is  the  sum  total  of  such  etiological  knowledge  as  we 
now  possess,  or  can  expect  ever  to  attain,  respecting  this  or 
any  otlier epidemic  disease; — for  all  the  noxious  stimuli  ori- 
ginating them,  are  as  equally  intangible  and  irresolvable  as 
are  the  stimuli  productive  of  yellow  fevers ; — and  all  equally 
incapable  of  analysis,  by  any  investigating  processes  within 
the  limits  of  man's  philosophy. 

The  physiological  phenomena  sequential  to  the  appropriate 


44 

reception  and  distribution  of  appropriate  salutary  stimuli  to 
the  organization  while  in  a  healthy  and  sound  condition, 
are  not  analyzable  into  positive  mathematical  demonstra- 
tion;— and  the  pathological  phenomena  induced  by  the  ope- 
rations of  noxious  agents  much  less  so,  to  whatever  extent 
aided  by  the  phenomena  revealed  to  our  view  in  the  dis- 
eased departments  of  the  organization,  by  dissection,  or  any 
other  investigating  processes.  The  grades  of  health  are  in- 
definitely diversified  and  varied,  and  the  grades  of  disease 
much  more  so, — even  oF  identical  diseases  arising  from  iden- 
tical causative  agents  ;--invariably,  in  a  manner  strictly  and 
philosophically  corresponding  with  the  varied  conditions  of 
the  noxious  stimuli,  and  the  conservative  powers  of  the  sys- 
tem, to  resist  them. 

The  noxious  stimuli  originating  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena characterizing  yellow  fevers  being  therefore  subject 
to  such  variations,  must  be  productive  of  equally  varied  phe- 
nomena:— hence  arises  the  difficulty  of  discussing  this  dis- 
ease philosophically,  within  a  narrow  compass; — for  it  is  a 
real  proteus,  and  assumptive  of  such  variety  of  pathological 
plienomena  as  would  require  volumes  to  illustrate  them  in 
an  appropriately  philosophical  manner.  But,  our  object  in 
selecting  yellow  fever  at  present,  is  not  to  give  it  such  tho- 
rough philosophic  discussion.  We  have  selected  it,  because 
the  more  ordinary  routine  of  its  characteristic  pathological 
phenomena  are  more  palpable  to  observation,  than  such  as 
characterize  febrile  diseases  as  they  are  erroneously  deno- 
minated, arising  from  more  ordinary  causative  agents;  and 
tnore  particularly  for  discerning,  distinguishing,  and  separa- 
ting, the  true  pathological,  from  the  conservative  phenomena, 
manifested  by  the  organization  in  a  more  or  less  appreciable 
manner,  in  all  cases,  when  not  paralyzed  by  the  causative 
agents  to  the  irrecuperative  extent.  We  shall  thus  be  ena- 
bled, not  only  to  distinguish  and  separate  the  pathological, 
from  the  recuperative  phenomena,  pertaining  to  this,  but  to 
all  other  morbid  sensibilities  whatever,  and  from  whatsoever 
causes  arising; — for  the  principles  conducting  us  to  the  phi- 


45 

losophic  recognition  and  appreciation  of  the  pathological  and 
conservative  phenomena  characterizing  this  disease,  lead  us 
directly  to  the  recognition  of  all  such  as  characterize  all  other 
diseases,  however  local,  or  general,  mild  or  severe,  they  may- 
be. If  we  can  thus  analyze  this  Herculean  malady,  occu- 
pying the  very  front  rank  in  the  train  of  pathological  phe- 
nomena incident  to  our  western  hemisphere; — we  can  easily 
analyze  all  others,  however  different  they  may  be  from  such 
as  characterize  this; — because  they  are  all  analyzable  oa 
identical  general  principles.  We  shall  therefore,  study  the 
pathological  phenomena  characterizing  this  disease,  as  they 
more  ordinarily  occur;  and  during  our  discussion,  bestow 
sucli  observations,  as  may  present  themselves  to  our  consi- 
deration, on  the  singularly  varied  and  anomalous  pathological 
and  recuperative  phenomena,  by  which  they  are  very  fre- 
quently manifested  to  our  philosophic  observation. 

The  remote  and  proximate;  causes  of  this  and  all  other  dis- 
eases, are  to  be  philosophically  recognized,  as  operative  to 
the  production  of  a  series  or  sequency  of  morbid  effects, 
from  their  commencement,  to  their  termination,  in  the  de- 
pression and  congestion,  of  the  vital  powers,  of  the  part  or 
parts  affected  by  them ;  and  these  effects,  constituting  what 
are  called  the  premonitory  symptoms  of  fevers,  are  influenced 
as  to  their  production,  not  only  by  the  greater  or  less  viru- 
lent concentration  of  these  causes;  but,  likewise  by  the  na- 
ture and  action  of  what  are  called,  the  predisposing  and  ex- 
citing causes.  When  all  these  causes  are  applied  in  high  de- 
gree, and  act  in  appropriate  conjunction,  and  relevancy  to 
each  other,  the  premonitory  symptoms,  or  incipient  effects 
of  the  noxious  stimuli,  will  be  correspondently  depres- 
sive and  congestive  of  the  vital  energies,  not  only  of  the 
part  or  parts  recipient  of  them  primarily,  but  of  the  part  or 
parts  secondarily  receptive  of  them,  through  nervous  sym- 
pathy. Yellow  fever  therefore,  is  not  a  disease  sui  generis, 
in  the  sense,  that  it  has  by  many  been  considered  to  be; — 
but  arises,  like  all  other  diseases,  when  philosophically  in- 
vestigated, from  obvious  causes ; — and  is  varied  in  its  symp- 
7 


46 

toms,  or  external  and  internal  manifestations  of  its  patholo- 
gical phenomena,  in  a  manner  corresponding  with  its  causa- 
tive variations; — which  are  conspicuous  and  appreciable,  in 
the  different  epidemics  of  the  same  localities,  in  the  different 
seasons.  The  practice  of  medicine  is,  or  should  be,  the  prac- 
tice of  its  true  philosophy. 

All  practitioners  therefore,  of  medicine,  should  scientifi- 
cally recognize  the  high  importance  of  philosophically  under- 
standing, and  appropriately  estimating,  the  value  of  the  in- 
dubitable fact,  that  yellow  fevers  are  invariably  gradated, 
and  modified,  according  to  their  causative  gradations  and  mo- 
difications;— because,  as  the  morbid  miasmata  productive  of 
them,  are  so  variously  characterized,  even  in  identical  locali- 
ties, in  different  seasons; — and  as  the  constitutional  suscepti- 
bilities to  their  reception,  are  also,  so  various,  during  the 
different  seasons; — it  follows,  that  the  different  epidemics 
cannot  be  similarly  characterized,  but  to  limited  extent: — 
in  truth  therefore,  they  will  be  found  manifested  to  philoso- 
phic observation,  but  by  few  general  symptoms,  in  common 
to  them  all.  For,  we  readily  see,  that,  between  the  lowest 
and  highest  states  of  such  atmospheric  vitiation,  as  becomes 
causative  of  bilious  fevers, — there  will  be  numerous  varieties, 
characterized  but  by  few  external  or  internal  manifestations, 
which  can  be  philosophically  considered,  as  common  to  all 
of  them; — and,  between  the  lowest  and  highest  states  of  at- 
mospheric vitiation,  productive  of  yellow  fevers, — there  will 
be  found  many  varieties,  modifications,  and  anomalies,  that 
positively  preclude  us  from  recognizing  many  of  them,  as 
having  any  pathological  or  recuperative  phenomena,  at  all 
sim  characterized; — the  few  general  symptoms  which 

may  <ionsidered  as  common,  being  confined  exclusively 
to  the  milder  and  medial  grades  of  the  epidemic,  occurring 
in  constitutions  previously  sound,  and  vigorous.  And,  it 
must  be  very  evident  to  all  philosophic  practitioners  in 
southern  and  tropical  climates,  that  these  epidemics  are  al- 
ways in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  subject  to  such  numerously 
varied  anomalous  modifications  of  the  pathological  and  con- 


47 

servative  phenomena  by  which  they  are  characterized,  that 
the  philosophy  pertaining  to  them  cannot  be  reached  and  re- 
cognized, except  by  those  talented  and  experienced  practi- 
tioners, who  have  been  long  conversant  with  their  almost  in- 
definitely varied  characteristic  phenomena. 

We  readily  recognize  therefore,  the  varied  multiplicity  of 
such  causes  as  have  retarded  the  appreciation  and  adoption 
of  the  true  philosophy  pertaining  to  this  pestilence.  It  be- 
comes therefore,  conspicuously  apparent,  that  epidemic  yel- 
low fevers  will,  even  in  the  same  localities,  in  different  sea- 
sons, be  characterized  by  pathological  phenomena,  more  or 
less,  depressive  and  congestive  of  nervous  energy,  and  by 
recuperative  phenomena,  more  or  less  sthenic  or  asthenic. 
As  are  the  gradations  of  depression  and  congestion  of  ner- 
vous energy  sequential  to  the  operation  of  the  causative 
agents,  such  will  be  the  gradations  of  the  recuperative  exci- 
tations raised  by  the  conservative  powers  of  the  organization. 
The  recuperative  phenomena  will  therefore  be  presented  to 
philosophic  observation,  by  more  or  less  sthenic  or  asthenic 
irritations,  inflammations,  and  fevers,  in  all  cases  in  which 
the  organization  has  not  been  pathologized  by  the  noxious 
agents  totally  beyond  the  power  of  instituting  such  recupe- 
rative excitations;  and  in  all  cases  in  which  the  organization 
is  pathologized  beyond  the  power  of  instituting  these  natu- 
ral and  indispensably  necessary  recuperative  excitations  for 
expelling  the  morbid  sensibilities,  recuperative  exertions 
are  still  raised  by  the  conservative  powers,  and  manifested 
indubitably  to  philosophic  observation  and  recognition,  by 
nervous  agitations,  tremors,  twitchings,  cramps,  spasms  and 
convulsions.  Recuperative  excitation  is  therefore,  evidenced 
to  the  observation  of  true  philosophy,  in  a  more  or  less  sa- 
lutary or  insalutary  manner,  until  the  organization  becomes 
totally  palsied  to  the  irrecuperative  extent.  We  thus  unfold 
in  plain  and  general  terms,  not  to  be  misunderstood  or  un- 
appreciated, the  pathological  and  recuperative  philosophy 
pertaining  not  only  to  yellow  fevers,  but  to  all  other  morbid 
sensibilities,  arising  from  whatsoever  causative  agents.     It  is 


48 

therefore  abundantly  evident,  that  the  pathological  and  re- 
cuperative phenomena  characterizing  yellow  fevers,  will  be 
inevitably  subject  to  much  greater  multiplicity  of  modifica- 
tions and  variations,  and  to  a  much  greater  number  and  di- 
versity of  singularly  anomalous  characteristics,  than  those 
pertaining  to  diseases  arising  from  more  ordinary  causes. 
All  the  Protean  shapes  and  appearances  characterizing  both 
the  pathological  and  conservative  phenomena  manifested  by 
this  pestilence,  will  be  found  strictly  and  philosophically 
consistent  with  causative  peculiarities  pertaining  to  the  cau- 
sative agents,  and  to  constitutional  predispositions  and  idio- 
syncrasies. 

All  the  regular  and  irregular  symptoms  therefore,  charac- 
terizing this  pestilential  epidemic,  when  examined  in  con- 
formity with  the  principles  developed  by  true  philosophy, 
meet  with  ready  and  satisfactory  elucidation.  They  will  all 
be  manifested  to  observation,  in  a  manner  strictly  and  phi- 
losophically corresponding  with  the  more  or  less  general  and 
regular,  or  more  or  less  diversified  and  varying  influences, 
which  the  general  state  of  the  weather  may  have  had  on 
the  production  of  the  noxious  agents,  and  on  the  systems 
of  those  recipient  of  them;  for  it  is  obvious,  that  if  the 
state  of  the  weather  for  several  months  previous  to  the  oc- 
currence of  this  epidemic,  has  been  such  as  to  brace  and 
strengthen  the  constitution  to  the  prevention  of  much  debi- 
litation from  the  series  of  causes  leading  to  the  formation  of 
the  morbific  miasmata,  the  symptoms  characterizing  it  pa- 
thologically, will  not  be  productive  of  such  deep  depressions 
and  congestions  of  nervous  power,  as  to  prevent  the  conser- 
vative energies  of  the  organization  from  instituting  such  high 
sthenic  recuperative  excitations,  as  by  appropriate  medica- 
tion may  be  rendered  most  favourably  eliminative  of  the 
morbid  sensibilities.  On  the  contrary,  if  the  general  state 
of  the  weather  for  many  months  prior  to  the  occurrence  of 
the  epidemic,  has  been  such  as  to  greatly  debilitate  the  ner- 
vous power  of  the  organization,  and  the  series  of  causes  lead- 
ing to  the  production  of  the  morbid  miasmata  has  been  such 


49 

.as  to  mature  them  to  the  highest  concentration  of  malisjnan- 
cy,  it  is  equally  evident,  that  the  systems  receptive  of  the 
pathological  conditions  thence  arising,  will  suffer  such  deep 
depression  and  congestion  of  nervous  power,  as  to  prohibit 
them  from  raising  any  effective  or  favourable  recuperation 
at  all; — from  raising  any  other,  than  the  feeblest  and  most 
inefficient  febrile  or  inflammatory  asthenic  recuperative  ex- 
citations ; — or  from  raising  any  other  than  spasmodic  or  con- 
vulsive recuperation,  or  none  at  all. 

We  are  now  prepared  for  observing,  that  the  most  usual 
pathological  phenomena  manifested  to  philosophic  observa- 
tion, from  the  entrance  of  the  causative  agents  into  the  orga- 
nization, and  during  the  continuance  of  the  premonitory 
symptoms,  as  they  are  called,  of  this  fever,  when  characterized 
by  the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation,  consist  of  sensations 
of  weariness  or  lassitude,  weakness,  and  inaptitude  for  mo- 
tion, faintness,  pain  or  vertigo,  or  both,  in  the  central  radical 
nervous  region  of  vitality,  pain  in  the  spinal  region  and  ex- 
tremities, and  pain  or  sensations  of  heaviness  and  oppression 
in  the  thoracic  and  abdominal  regions,  and  chilliness,  and 
more  or  less  nausea  and  sickness  of  stomach : — all  of  which 
will  be  more  or  less  severe  and  violent,  and  remain  a  longer 
or  shorter,  time,  according  to  the  more  or  less  malignant  na- 
ture and  action  of  the  morbific  agenjs,  and  the  state  of  pre- 
disposition or  idiosyncrasy  in  the  constitutions  of  the  sub- 
jects reciprocally  receptive  of  them. 

The  above  enumerated  symptoms  of  this  epidemic  when 
characterized  by  the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation,  are 
such  as  most  ordinarily  occur,  and  become  manifest  to  phi- 
losophic recognition  during  the  duration  of  the  premonitory 
period; — and  they  prove  conclusively  the  nervous  system  to 
be  the  whole  system  of  man.  Whether  the  noxious  mias- 
mata productive  of  such  pathological  phenomena  have  effect- 
ed their  entrance  primarily  into,  and  through  the  assimilative 
apparatus,  or  through  some  other  department  of  the  organi- 
zation, and  through  the  instantaneous  operativeness  of  sym- 
pathy, have  transmitted  their  ravaging  influences  to  the  ce- 


50 

rebral  and  spinal  nervous  radicles,  or  whether  all  the  im-. 
portant  vital  organs  implicated  have  received  the  shock  si- 
multaneously ; — certain  it  is,  that  the  origins  of  the  whole 
nervous  organization  are  depressed  and  congested,  very  nearly 
hi^uch  an  overwhelming  manner,  as  to  preclude  their  insti- 
tuting any  recuperative  excitation  at  all.  Certain  it  is,  that 
all  the  pathological  conditions  demonstrate  all  the  nervous 
centres  to  be  paralyzed  during  the  continuance  of  the  whole 
premonitory  period,  which  is  usually  from  ten  to  twelve  or 
fifteen  hours,  more  or  less,  according  to  the  greater  or  less 
fixity  of  the  congestions,  and  the  ability  of  the  system  to  ex- 
cite recuperation.  The  workings  and  strugglings  of  the 
conservative  powers  during  this  premonitory  period,  become 
exclusively  manifest  to  the  observation  of  the  philosophic 
and  experienced  practitioner: — to  him  they  become  plainly 
manifest,  in  exciting  such  inflammatory  and  febrific  recupe- 
ration,, as  the  powers  of  the  system  will  permit,  for  elimi- 
nating the  poisonous  stimuli  from  it,  and  dislodging  and  ex- 
pelling the  pathological  phenomena  occasioned  by  them. 
These  recuperative  excitations  are  seen  to  take  place  in  a 
very  gradual  manner: — the  sensorial  energies  are  observed 
to  emerge  from  their  oppression,  in  a  very  laborious,  strug- 
gling, and  gradual  manner; — to  institute  more  -and' more 
freedom  of  respiration,  and  more  and  more  vigorous  circula- 
tion, until  they  reach  an  arterial  reaction,  more  or  less  ar- 
dent;— in  a  degree  invariably  corresponding  with  the  dele- 
terious effects  of  the  noxious  agents,  and  the  ability  of  the 
vital  powers  to  institute  such  reaction.  It  is  therefore  pal- 
pable to  philosophic  observation,  that  the  vital  powers  of  the 
nervous  organization,  not  only  primarily  resist  the  entrance 
of  the  noxious  agents  more  or  less  successfully,  in  a  manner 
corresponding  with  their  strength  and  the  state  of  concen- 
tration of  the  noxious  stimuli  assailing  them;  but  after  the 
noxious  agents  have  effected  their  location  in  the  system,  by 
overpowering  the  conservative  energies,  their  operativeness 
in  raising  recuperative  excitationsfor  eliminating  the  morbid 
sensibilities,  becomes  equally  palpable  to  philosophic  obser- 


51 

vation,  and  to  philosophic  ohservation  exclusively.  In  many- 
cases,  the  conservative  powers  resist  the  entrance  of  the 
noxious  stimuli  with  such  success,  as  to  prevent  the  organi- 
zation from  becoming  positively  pathologized  ;  in  many  cases 
nearly  so,  when  slight  disease  only  will  be  produced ; — and 
every  grade  of  pathologic  action  will  be  manifested  by  this 
epidemic,  from  the  slightest  predisposition  to  the  reception 
of  the  causative  agents,  to  the  most  overwhelming  and  pros- 
trating conditions  of  the  nervous  vital  energies: — proving 
incontestibly,  that  the  nervous  system  is  the  whole  system 
of  man: — proving  incoatestibly,  (contrary  to  the  opinion  of 
medical  philosophers  respecting  this  important  subject  for 
nearly  three  thousand  years  past,)  that  the  effects  directly 
and  unavoidably  resulting  from  the  application  of  noxious 
agents  to  the  organization  of  man,  are  depressive  and  con- 
gestive of  the  nervous  energies  of  the  part  or  parts  receptive 
of  them,  both  primarily  and  consecutively,  through  nervous 
sympathy : — proving  incontestibly,  that  the  inflammatory 
and  febrific  actions  sooner  or  later  sequential  to  the  depres- 
sive operations  of  the  causative  agents,  are  raised  by  the  con- 
servative or  sensorial  energies  of  the  system,  for  eliminating 
the  morbid  sensibilities  occasioned  by  the  noxious  agents. 
The  subject  of  fever  has  been  constantly  under  the  observa- 
tion and  study  of  physicians  for  thousands  of  years,  and  not 
a  single  step  rnade  in  advance  to  its  true  philosophy — not- 
withstanding the  whole  philosophy  pertaining  to  it  is  incon- 
trovertibly  based  on  such  self-evidcncy,  as  arises  from  view- 
ing and  observing  the  nature  and  ravaging  progress  of  the 
causative  agents,  from  their  primary  entrance  into,  and  fixity 
in,  the  organization ; — until  recuperative  excitations  are  in- 
stituted, and  thoroughly  established  by  the  conservative 
powers.  We  have  intuitive,  self-evident,  undeniable  proof, 
that  the  morbid  miasmata  productive  of  yellow  fevers,  de- 
press and  congest  the  nervous  energies  of  the  system,  to  the 
total  preclusion  of  irritations,  inflammations,  and  fevers,  for 
a  longer  or  shorter  period ; — oftentimes  to  the  total  preclusion 
of  even  spasms  and  convulsions,  by  pathologizing  the  organi- 


52 

zation  to  the  paralytic  extent  of  irrecuperation.  It  is  utterly 
impossible  for  medical  philosophers  to  witness  these  ravaging 
effects  of  the  noxious  agents  on  the  organization,  without  re- 
cognizing fevers  and  inflammations  as  sanatary  processes,  for 
eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities.  They  must  inevitably 
recognize  the  self-evidency  of  this  philosophy,  when  they 
simply  reflect  on  what  they  well  know,  that  no  pathological 
phenomena  thus  arising,  were  ever,  in  a  single  instance,  eli- 
minated from  the  system,  without  the  occurrence  of  inflam- 
mations or  fevers,  or  both. 

Irritations,  inflammations,  fevers,  therefore,  are  salutary, 
not  diseased  actions.  They  are  incontrovertibly,  to  such 
extent  salutary, — as  the  depressive  effects  of  the  noxious 
stimuli,  and  strength  of  the  nervous  vital  energies,  will  ena- 
ble the  organization  to  institute. 

We  have  now  under  consideration  the  most  interesting 
and  important  truth  in  the  philosophy  of  medicine  ;-7-and  to 
present  it  if  possible  more  palpably  and  inevitably  still,  to 
the  recognition  and  appreciation  of  the  profession,  shall  exa- 
mine it  somewhat  more  in  detail. 

Can  true  philosophy  recognize  in  the  malignant  nature  or 
deleterious  effects  of  the  noxious  stimuli  productive  of  yel- 
low fever,  any  cause  for  considering  the  inflammations  or 
fevers,  or  both,  sooner  or  later  succeeding  them,  as  morbid 
phenomena, — or  a  continuation,  or  extension  and  exaltation, 
of  the  primary,  or  premonitory  pathological  phenomena? 
These  stimuli,  when  applied  to  any  part  or  parts  of  the  or- 
ganization, effect  their  entrance  into  the  said  part  or  parts, 
through  the  sentient,  absorbent,  recipient,  nervous  power  of 
the  said  part  or  parts, — and  invariably  occasion  more  or  less 
depression  and  congestion  of  the  vital  energies  of  the  said 
part  or  parts.  What  is  there  in  the  nature  of  the  depression 
of  the  nervous  power  of  the  organization  thus  arising,  to 
cause  fevers  and  inflammations  to  be  considered  as  they  have 
been  forever,  by  medical  philosophers,  diseased  processes? 
Can  it  be  for  a  moment  deemed  philosophical,  to  consider 
phenomena  so  totally  variant  from  each  other,  as  are  fe?ers 


53 

and  inflammations,  from  the  depressions  and  congestions 
directly  sequential  to  the  operation  of  the  noxious  agents, 
as  identical  morbid  phenomena  ?  There  is  undeniably  no- 
thing to  be  discovered  in  the  nature  or  action  of  either  of 
these  sets  of  j)henomena,  characterizing  the  disease  now  un- 
der consideration,  or  any  other  disease,  primarily,  consecu- 
tively, and  ultimately  considered,  to  warrant  such  conclu- 
sion. The  watchful  guardian  and  protector  of  all  the  vital 
energies  of  the  nervous  organization  resident  and  operative 
in  its  cerebral  radicle  the  brain,  becomes  on  the  entrance  of 
such  noxious  stimuli  instantaneously  perceptive  of  their  in- 
jurious effects ; — and  although  at  the  same  time  it  may  be 
participative  of  them,  to  a  greater  or  less  depressive  extent, 
yet  is  in  all  cases,  when  not  paralyzed  positively  beyond  the 
power  of  instituting  febrific  recuperation,  constantly  exert- 
ing its  sensorial  energies,  in  exciting  such  sanatary  processes 
for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities; — and  succeeds  in 
raising  them,  sooner  or  later,  according  to  the  states  of  the 
depressions  and  congestions  of  nervous  energy  sequent  to 
the  application  of  the  noxious  agents; — usually  in  ten,  twelve, 
or  fifteen  hours,  in  constitutions  previously  sound  and  vigor- 
ous, to  a  high  standard  of  arterial  reaction  : — to  a  standard, 
it  must  be  confessed,  that  will  in  all  cases  in  which  the  pa- 
thological and  recuperative  phenomena  are  suffered  to  pro- 
gress unchecked  by  appropriately  philosophical  medication, 
run  to  the  production  of  such  disorganizations  and  destruc- 
tions, as  must  inevitably  occur  from  the  violent  contest  be- 
tween the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena.  The 
recuperative  have  yielded  the  victory  to  the  pathological 
phenomena; — but,  are  they  on  this  account,  less  entitled  to 
be  philosophically  considered  as  curative  excitations?  They 
are  to  such  extent  curative,  as  the  depressions  and  conges- 
tions of  nervous  power  arising  from  the  operation  of  the 
noxious  agents  on  the  organization,  will  permit  it  to  insti- 
tute,— and  will  be  characterized  accordingly,  by  a  more  or 
less  sthenic  or  asthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation, — by  a  re- 
cuperation more  or  less  favourable,  according  to  the  effects 
8 


54 

of  the  noxious  agents.  We  have  now  more  immediately  un- 
der our  observation  such  high  grade  of  epidemic  yellow  fever 
as  is  characterized  by  ardent  inflammatory  and  febrific  recu- 
peration, which  imperiously  requires  the  most  appropriately 
potent  and  philosophical  medication,  to  prevent  the  ravaging 
eflects  of  the  noxious  agents,  and  eliminate  them  from  the 
system.  But  it  must  be  particularly  noted,  that  such  ener- 
getic medication  does  not  philosophically  pertain  to  the 
milder  grades  of  this  disease; — the  depressions  and  conges^ 
tions  of  nervous  power  are  slight,  and  much  sooner  recovered 
from,  than  in  the  higher  grades, — by  the  institution  of  a 
correspondently  mild  recuperative  excitation,  which  in  most 
cases  without  medication,  eliminates  the  morbid  sensibilities 
from  the  system,  through  their  legitimate  outlets.  This  is 
the  way  in  which  resolution  and  elimination  of  all  the  milder 
morbid  sensibilities  of  this,  and  all  the  different  species  of 
fevers,  as  they  are  called,  are  accomplished; — and  generally 
without  any  aid  from  medication.  The  brain  is  percipient 
of  the  pathological  condition  in  a  degree  correspondent  with 
the  grade  of  depression,  and  raises  recuperative  excitations 
in  a  correspondent  degree; — and  the  recuperative  excitations 
for  the  milder  grades,  are  not  raised  higher  than  necessary 
to  effect  elimination  in  a  short  time  through  the  legitimate 
outlets, — the  secretions  and  excretions.  But,  in  the  severer 
grades,  recuperation  is  raised  unavoidably,  in  general,  to  the 
diminution  or  suspension  of  action,  of  the  secreting  and  ex- 
creting functions; — which  without  the  aid  of  appropriate 
medication,  must  run  rapidly  to  the  production  of  secondary 
congestions,  and  disorganizations,  and  destructions.  These 
secondary  congestions  and  destructions  are  consequential  to 
the  mastery  attained  by  the  pathological,  over  the  recupera- 
tive phenomena,  raised  by  the  conservative  powers.  The 
noxious  agents  in  the  cases  we  are  considering,  paralyze  the 
nervous  energies  of  the  organization,  beyond  the  power  of 
recuperation,  for  twelve  or  fifteen  hours,  or  a  longer  time; — 
these  primary  congestions  or  pathological  phenomena,  called 
premonitory,  are  then  succeeded  by  high  sthenic  recupera- 


55 

tion,  which,  without  appropriately  philosophical  manage- 
ment, will  be  .insuflicient  to  prevent  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena increasing  and  extending  their  ravages  to  the  produc- 
tion of  what  we  have  philosophically  denominated  secondary 
congestions,  disorganizations,  and  too  frequently  total  de- 
structions. But  such  destructive  consequences  thus  arising, 
do  not  indicate  the  recuperative  excitations  to  be  diseased 
processes; — or,  that  they  can  be  with  any  sl.ow  of  philoso- 
phy, considered  as  belonging  to  the  extension,  increase,  or 
continuation  of  the  chain  of  the  premonitory  pathological 
phenomena. 

We  conclude  therefore  that  there  is  nothing  pertaining  to 
the  philosophy  of  the  nature  and  characteristics  of  the  patho- 
logical conditions  arising  from  the  application  of  noxious 
stimuli  on,  or  in,  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization  affected 
by  them,  to  raise  (per  se)  inflammations  or  fevers, — so  dia- 
metrically opposed  in  all  their  characteristics„to  the  patholo- 
gical conditions  of  the  organization.  Th#  pathological  con- 
ditions occasioned  by  the  application  of  noxious  stimuli  of 
every  description,  and  of  salutary  stimuli  in  excess  or  defi- 
ciency, are  invariably  characterized  by  depressions  and  con- 
gestions of  the  vital  or  nervous  energies.  These  depressions 
and  congestions,  when  inconsiderable  and  restrictedly  local, 
are  succeeded  sooner  or  later,  by  irritative  or  inflammatory 
action,  exclusively  in  the  capillary  circulation  imm.ediately 
surrounding  the  pathologized  region  ; — and  when  more  con- 
siderable and  general,  by  increased  actions  both  in  the  ge- 
neral and  capillary  circulations,  for  effecting  elimination  of 
ihe  morbid  sensibilities.  Can  actions  thus  raised,  and  so 
radically  differing  from  the  pathological  conditions,  be  phi- 
losophically considered  as  homogeneous,  or  as  having  any 
natural  affinity  whatsoever,  with  or  toward  each  other? 
That  different  noxious  stimuli  originate  different  depressions 
and  congestions  of  nervous  energy  in  the  part  or  parts  recep- 
tive of  them,  and  that  they  are  either  accompanied  or  sooner 
or  later  succeeded  by  correspondently  different  recuperative 
excitations,  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  of  the  organi- 


56 

zation, — and  that  such  different  recuperative  excitations, 
will  require  correspondently  different  medications,  for  the 
production  of  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensii?ilities  directly- 
sequent  to  the  introduction  of  the  noxious  agents  into  the 
system,  must  inevitably  be  recognized,  and  philosophically 
appreciated,  by  all  intelligent  practitioners  of  medicine,  in 
whatever  part  of  the  world  resident ; — but  more  particularly 
by  those  resident  in  southern  and  tropical  climates,  where 
the  philosophy  of  medicine,  from  the  more  brilliant  pictur- 
ing and  prominency  both  of  the  pathological  and  recupera- 
tive phenomena  presented  to  observation,  is  most  conclu- 
sively studied,  and  satisfactorily  mastered,  to  positive  intui- 
tive demonstration.  But  notwithstanding  the  true  philoso- 
phy of  medicine,  as  thus  portrayed,  must  inevitably  be 
recognized,  and  appropriately  estimated,  by  all  talented 
practitioners, — yet  as  they,  and  the  whole  medical  profes- 
sion, have  for  .thousands  of  years  past,  until  the  present  mo- 
ment, considered  "the  recuperative  phenomena  as  morbific 
movements  in  the  circulations,  and  as  extensions,  or  con- 
tinuations, or  exaltations,  of  the  pathological  phenomena, — 
we  shall  bestow  on  this — the  most  important  portion  of  our 
philosophy,  further  elucidation. 

That  all  causes,  productive  of  all  diseases,  whether  more 
or  less  local,  or  general,  primarily  operate  directly  to  the 
formation  of  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  nervous 
energies  of  the  part  or  parts  of  the  organization  recipient  of 
them,  will  not,  cannot  be  denied,  notwithstanding  a  direct- 
ly contrary  belief  has  universally  prevailed  up  to  the  time 
of  this  present  exposition  of  true  philosophy.  These  conges- 
tions, however  locally  or  extensively  they  may  have  occur- 
red, constitute  the  disease; — the  morbid  sensibility  produced 
by  the  causative  agent,  to  be  eliminated  from  the  system. 
And  how  is  such  elimination  to  be  accomplished?  surely  not 
by  the  excitation  of  diseased  actions.  It  will  be  admitted, 
that  when  the  organization  becomes  pathologized  from  what- 
ever cause,  if  not  to  the  irrecuperative  extent, — in  all  cases 
more  or  less  of  salutary  power  is  evidently  operative,  not 


57 

only  in  resisting  the  extension  of  the  morbid  phenomena, 
but  in  expelling  them  from  the  system.  In  what  manner 
does  the  organization  evince  such  resisting  and  expulsive 
operations?  Surely  not  by  the  excitation  of  additional  dis- 
eased actions.  The  inflammatory  process  instituted  for  heal- 
ing wounds,  either  by  the  first  intention,  when  the  divided 
surfaces  can  be  placed  in  appropriate  apposition,  or  by  in- 
flammation and  suppuration  when  they  cannot, — are  not 
surely  to  be  philosophically  recognized  as  diseased  actions. 
They  are  demonstrably,  the  salutary  workings  of  nature,  to 
effect  reunion  of  the  sundered  surfaces.  Surely  such  inflam- 
matory process  as  nature  institutes  for  uniting  fractured 
bones,  either  when  they  are  placed  in  appropriate  apposition 
or  not,  cannot  be  considered  a  morbid  process.  Nor  are  the 
inflammatory  and  pus-making  processes  for  healing  lacerated 
and  gun-shot,  or  any  other  wounds,  to  be  considered  as 
morbid  sensibilities,  or  diseased  actions.  Surely  it  will  not 
be  denied,  that  such  inflammatory  processes  are  necessary  to 
cure  or  heal  such  wounds  or  diseases; — even  when  they  are 
so  severe  and  extensive  as  to  require  the  conservative  powers 
to  progress  to  the  institution  of  febrific  recuperation  in  the 
general  circulations,  which,  for  very  obvious  reasons,  is  very 
often  the  case; — because  the  capillary  circulation  in  and  sur- 
rounding large  wounds  of  this  or  any  other  description,  is 
not  sufficiently  powerful  to  raise  the  inflammatory  and  pus- 
creating  processes  to  such  extent,  as  to  cause  appropriate  re- 
solution and  elimination.  The  general  circulations  in  such 
cases  are  excited  by  the  conservative  powers,  not  only  to 
such  increased  and  strengthened  exertions  as  are  necessary 
to  communicate  such  corresponding  momentum  to  the  capil- 
lary circulation  surrounding  the  morbid  sensibilities,  as  may 
raise  the  requisite  inflammatory  and  suppurating  operations 
for  effecting  elimination  of  the  pathological  phenomena 
through  the  secretory  and  excretory  apparatus,  particularly 
pertaining  to  the  affected  region; — but  like-'  ise  for  effecting 
elimination  of  such  morbid  sensibilities  as  may,  through 
sympathy  with  the  affected  region,  have  occurred  in  one  or 


58 

more  of  the  important  vital  departments  of  the  organization/ 
Surely  then,  the  febrific,  inflammatory  and  suppurative  ope- 
rations, necessary  to  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  con- 
stituting either  restrictedly  local,  or  more  or  less  general 
diseases,  cannot  be  philosophically  considered  and  recognized 
as  diseased  actions.  Is  the  fever  raised  for  the  cure  of  the 
morbid  sensibility,  constituting  an  ephemeral  fever,  a  morbid 
process?  Can  such  pathological  condition  be  resolved  and 
expelled  from  the  system  in  any  other  way,  than  by  and 
through  the  salutary  operation  of  the  febrific  recuperation, 
instituted  by  the  conservative  powers  of  the  organization, 
radically  operative  in  a  primary,  consecutive,  and  ultimate 
sense,  in  the  cerebro-spinal  centres  of  total  innervation?  Can 
the  fever  raised  for  the  resolution  and  elimination  of  the 
pathological  phenomena  constituting  the  radicle  of  an  inter- 
mittent paroxysm,  be  considered  a  diseased  process?  This 
disease  is, in  general,  originated  by  morbid  marsh  miasmata, — 
the  poisonous  effects  of  which  are,  by  the  conservative 
powers,  resolved  and  expelled  from  the  system  generally, 
through  the  cutaneous  and  urinary  emunctories; — debility  is 
the  consequence; — remove  it  by  appropriate  tonics,  after  due 
preparation  of  the  assimilative  apparatus  for  their  reception 
and  efficient  action,  and  the  disease  is  cured. 

Is  there  any  thing  to  be  observed  in  all,  or  any  of  the 
febrific  processes  pertaining  to  the  diseases  we  have  men- 
tioned, or  to  any  others  that  might  be  mentioned,  arising 
from  whatsoever  causes,  or  productive  of  whatsoever  varie- 
ties of  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena,  which  can 
be  considered  and  recognized  by  true  philosophy  in  any 
other  light  than  curative  operations,  excited  by  the  conser- 
vative powers  of  the  organization?  The  answer  is  irresistibly 
obvious.  All  the  eliminative  recuperative  excitations  there- 
fore, sequent  to  pathological  phenomena  from  all  causes, 
whether  manifested  to  observation  in  the  capillary  circula- 
tions, by  irritations  and  inflammations,  or  in  the  general  cir- 
culations, by  feversjor  more  or  less  simultaneously  or  consecu- 
tively in  all  the  circulations,  cannot,  and  will  not,  hereafter. 


59 

by  any  medical  philosopher,  accessible  to  reason  and  common 
sense,  be  considered  as  diseased  actions.  They  are  palpably 
and  undeniably  therefore,  such  salutary  actions  as  the  sen- 
sorial powers  are  in  each  and  every  case  of  morbid  sensi- 
bility, from  whatsoever  cause  arising,  capable  of  raising,  for 
effecting  eliminations  of  their  respective  morbid  sensibilities. 

What  cures  the  mikler  grades  of  fevers,  arising  from  any 
causes  whatever,  when  no  medication  is  used,  for  the  elimi- 
nation of  the  morl)id  sensibilities  constituting  them?  These 
milder  grades  of  pathological  phenomena  are  generally  ac- 
companied, but  always  sooner  or  later,  succeeded,  by  such 
irritative  inflammatory,  or  febrific  excitation,  as  eliminates 
the  morbid  sensibilities  caused  by  the  noxious  agents  through 
their  legitimate  outlets, — the  secretions  and  excretions. 
Such  critical  and  palpably  curative  evacuations,  cannot  surely 
be  considered  as  the  products  of  diseased  actions ;  nor  can 
those  pertaining  to  the  higher  grades,  which  require  appro- 
priately potent  medication  for  their  elimination,  be  consider- 
ed with  any  show  of  philosojihy,  in  any  other  light  from 
whatsoever  causes  arising.  The  incalculable  importance  of 
the  subject  now  under  examination,  must  be  considered  as 
justifying  us  in  all  such  repetition  and  variety  of  exposition, 
as  we  may  consider  it  necessary  to  resort  to,  for  its  most 
conclusive  elucidation.  We  shall  unfold  the  true  philosophy 
of  medicine,  so  long  su-ch  a  desideratum  in  our  world,  to  the 
inevitable  recognition  of  all  such  legitimate  inductive  re- 
search, as  will  be  sanctioned  by  nature,  reason,  and  common 
sense; — and  if,  in  effecting  such  a  desirable  revolution,  in 
what  have  been  heretofore  erroneously  called  the  philoso- 
phies or  theories  of  medicine,  we  should  be  guilty  of  much 
tautology; — the  invaluable  blessings  which  will  result  to 
mankind,  from  presenting  this  philosophy  to  the  inevitable 
recognition  of  the  medical  profession,  must  plead  for  us  con- 
clusively in  justification. 

We  proceed  therefore  to  observe,  that  through  whatever 
inlets,  noxious  stimuli  of  any  kind  effect  their  entrance  and 
gain  their  location   in  the  system,  depression   of  the  vital 


60 

powers  is  the  instantaneous  irresistible  result, — of  which  the 
cerebral  centre  becomes  immediately  percipient,  and  raises 
recuperative  excitations,  more  or  less  favourable  or  unfa- 
vourable, or  none  at  all; — in  a  longer  or  shorter  time,  or 
never; — according  to  the  nature,  degree,  and  kind  of  patho- 
logical conditions,  sequential  to  the  application  of  the  noxious 
agents,  and  the  degree  of  conservative  operativeness  remain- 
ing in  the  pathologized  organization,  to  institute  such  recu- 
perative excitations.  These  recuperative  excitations,  whether 
developed  to  manifestation  exclusively  in  the  capillary  de- 
partment of  the  system,  as  in  restrictedly  local  diseases, — or 
in  all  the  circulating  departments  of  the  organization,  as  in 
the  more  general  and  diffused  inflammations  or  fevers; — or 
whether  they  be  manifested  in  all  the  circulations  more  or 
less  simultaneously,  or  consecutively,  to  the  entrance  of  the 
noxious  agents, — are  more  or  less  stimulant  or  sthenic,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  and  effects  of  the  noxious  agents,  and 
the  ability  of  the  nervous  power  remaining  in  the  system,  to 
institute  them. 

All  the  noxious  agents,  and  consequently  all  the  morbid 
sensibilities  originated  by  them,  must  unavoidably  be  recog- 
nized to  philosophic  observation,  as  indefinitely  various  and 
dissimilar;  so  are  all  the  recuperative  excitations, in  all  cases, 
in  which  they  are  raised  at  all,  equally  so.  The  noxious  mi- 
asmata productive  of  the  disease,  now  more  particularly  un- 
der our  observation,  being  specifically  different  from  all 
others,  must  unavoidably  therefore,  be  productive  of  patho- 
logical phenomena  specifically  different  from  those  originated 
by  any  other  malignant  agents;  and  the  recuperative  phe- 
nomena will  be  correspondently  and  specifically  different. 
As  is  the  specific  malignancy  of  the  noxious  agent  therefore, 
such  will  be  its  specific  morbid  operation  on,  or  in  the  orga- 
nization receptive  of  it;  and  the  recuperative  phenomena 
will  be  specifically  manifested  to  philosophic  observation, 
invariably  in  accordance  with  the  conservative  power  re- 
maining in  the  pathologized  organization  to  institute  them. 
But  both  the  pathological  and  recuperative  characteristics  of 


61 

yellow  fevers,  are  not  only  in  this  general  sense  considered 
specific  from  causative  specificity, — they  are  also  more  pecu- 
liarly and  singularly  specific,  and  anomalously  varied,  than 
thosenrising  from  any  other  noxious  source.  Any  portion  of 
the  external  or  internal  dermoid  structure  of  the  organization, 
may  he  invaded  and  entered  by  the  powerfully  malignant 
agent  causative  of  this  disease,  when  highly  epidemic ; — of 
course,,  the  phenomena  characterizing  it,  will  be  specifically 
varied,  and  more  or  less  anomalously  so,  according  to  the 
varied  structures  and  functional  operations  of  the  part  or 
parts  affected,  either  primarily  or  consecutively.  When  we 
take  into  appropriately  philosophic  consideration  therefore, 
tiie  variety  of  exciting  causes  and  constitutional  predisposi- 
tions and  idiosyncrasies  of  such  persons  as  are  resident  within 
the  baneful  sphere  of  the  poisonous  agent,  we  shall  have  in 
palpable  view,  ihe  aggregate  of  causes  by  which  the  patholo- 
gical and  recuperative  characteristics  of  this  pestilential  epi- 
demic are  so  frequently  manifested  to  our  philosophic  obser- 
vation, in  such  peculiarly  varied  and  singularly  anomalous 
manner. 

That  the  morbific  miasmata  may  effect  their  entrance  pri- 
marily'into  the  stomach,  and  according  to  their  gradations 
of  malignancy  of  composition,  and  conditions  of  the  consti- 
tutions receptive  of  them,  become  productive  of  every  variety 
of  depression  of  its  nervous  energy,  and  of  a  correspondent 
variety  of  recuperative  manifestation,  will  not  be  contro- 
vefted.  That  this  highly  sympathetic  viscus,  may  in  this 
way  become  pathologized  to  the  total  prevention  of  any  re- 
cuperation at  all,  and  therefore  to  the  speedy  and  total  ex- 
tinction of  the  organization  in  time,  will  not  be  controverted. 
That  this  highly  sensitive  vital  organ,  when  thus  irrecupera- 
tively  pathologized,  has  through  sympathy  rendered  the 
nervous  centres  participative  of  its  pathological  condition,  to 
the  destruction  of  the  conservative  power,  is  equally  palpa- 
ble to  the  observation  of  every  philosophic  observer.  It  is 
equally  palpable  also,  that  the  grades  of  depression  and  con- 
gestion of  the  gastric  department  of  the  organization  next  in 
9 


62 

degree  to  the  irrecuperative,  will  be  succeeded  by  such  sthe- 
nic or  asthenic  recuperation, — according  to  the  nature  of  the 
noxious  miasmata  and  constitutional  susceptibilities,  as  can- 
not prevent  without  appropriately  powerful  medicatioti  the 
pathological  phenomena  from  sphacelating  this  important  or- 
gan of  vitality,  and  by  sympathy  the  adjacent  regions,  to 
the  production  of  black  vomit,  and  the  certain  destruction  of 
vitality.  The  gastric  region  is  the  exclusive  recipient  of 
such  pathological  phenomena  as  terminate  in  mortification 
and  black  vomit;  and  it  is  of  course,  also,  the  recipient  of 
all  such  pathological  gradations  as  either  with,  or  without' 
appropriate  medication,  may  terminate  in  resolution,  or  sup- 
puration, or  such  anomalous  varieties  of  termination,  as  the 
structure  and  functional  operations  of  this  viscus  may  be  ren- 
dered susceptible  of,  from  peculiarities  in  the  noxious  agents, 
or  from  constitutional  susceptibilities  favouring  such  respec- 
tive terminations. 

That  the  morbid  miasmata,  productive  of  yellow  fevers, 
do  also  prin#rily  effect  their  entrance  into  the  organization, 
through  any  portion  of  the  cuticular  department  of  it,  and 
occasion  an  immense  variety  of  pathological  and  recuperative 
phenomena  differing  according  to  the  difference  of  structure, 
and  function  of  the  part  primarily  invaded,  and  the  part  or 
parts  consecutively  affected  through  sympathy,  will  not  be 
controverted  by  any  medical  philosopher  who  has  had  ex- 
tensive experience  in  yellow  fever  epidemics.  He  will  re- 
cognize to  all  satisfactory  demonstration,  that  a  majority"  of 
the  anomalous  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  ma- 
nifested to  his  observation  during  the  prevalence  of  such  epi- 
demics, must  have  been  originated  by  the  noxious  miasmata 
having  entered  externally  through  the  cuticular  nervous  ab- 
sorbents, and  primarily  and  consecutively  poisoned  such  va- 
rieties of  nervous  structures  as  are  manifested  by  the  patho- 
logical phenomena. 

The  local  paralyses  of  one  or  more  of  the  extremities,  or 
particular  parts  of  particular  extremities,  characterizing  many 
cases  of  yellow  fever  from  their  commencement,  without 


63 

any  other  than  occasional  spasmodic  and  convulsive  recupe- 
ration beint^  raised  by  the  conservative  powers,  prove  that 
the  capillary  nervous  circulation  in  the  external  or  internal 
dermoid  structures  of  the  organization,  must  be  the  exclusive 
recipient  not  only  of  this  but  all  other  noxious  agents.  The 
pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  therefore  charac- 
terizing all  diseases,  however  regularly  or  irregularly  pre- 
sented to  observation,  receive  satisfactory  explanation,  when 
the  nature  and  action  of  the  causative  agents,  and  the  states 
of  predisposition  or  idiosyncrasy  of  the  constitutions  recep- 
tive of  them,  are  appropriately  understood  and  appreciated. 

It  is  equally  and  demonstrably  evident,  that  the  morbid 
miasmata  may  gain  their  entrance  through  inlets  leading  di- 
rect to  the  centres  of  innervation,  and  occasion  morbid  phe- 
nomena of  every  grade  from  the  mildest  pain,  to  the  most 
overwhelming  phrenitis,  or  apoplexy.  The  study  of  the  re- 
cuperative phenomena  more  or  less  concomitant  or  consecu- 
tive to  the  pathological  phenomena  thus  arising,  in  and  sur- 
rounding the  centres  of  total  vitality,  requires  the  clearest 
insight  into  the  philosophy  of  the  exclusively  nervous  or- 
ganization of  man. 

That  the  morbific  miasmata  may  also  effect  their  en- 
trance into  the  organization  through  its  respiratory  apparatus, 
and  oftentimes  through  this  avenue  accomplish  their  location 
in  the  circulatory  department,  and  manifest  most  palpably, 
to  philosophic  recognition,  their  destructive  ravages  in  the 
lining  membranes  of  such  department,  is  rendered  conclu- 
sively demonstrative,  from  the  fact,  well  known  to  philoso- 
phic practitioners  conversant  with  yellow  fever, — that  in 
many  cases  all  the  circulations  are  so  ardently  and  convul- 
sively exerted,  that  the  boldest  depletory  measures  are  inca- 
pable of  subduing  them;— and  the  pathological  phenomena 
therefore  inevitably  and  rapidly  run  the  organization  to  total 
destruction.  The  pathological  phenomena,  and  recuperative 
excitations,  in  such  cases,  are  engaged  in  deadly  combat: — 
the  enemy  has  stormed  the  citadels  of  vitality — the  respira- 
tory and  circulatory  departments  of  the  organization ; — and 


64 

the  recuperative  powers  are  consequently  poisoned  to  such 
an  inoperative  and  overwhelming  extent,  as  to  speedily  in- 
sure the  victory  to  the  pathological  ravages,  thus  unimpeded 
in  their  progress.  But  surely  true  philosophy  can  recognize 
no  phenomena  pertaining  to  this  aggravately  diseased  condi- 
tion of  the  system,  that  indicate  fevers  and  inflammations  to 
be  diseased  processes.  The  recuperative  excitations  are 
raised  by  the  innervating  centres  as  favourably  as  the  de- 
pressed condition  of  the  organization  will  permit; — the  enemy 
has  gained  possession  of,  and  weakened  the  power  of,  the 
principal  recuperative  agents,  the  circulations ; — which  are 
so  much  weakened  and  depressed  below  their  salutary  normal 
action  by  the  noxious  stimuli, — that  the  nervous  centres  of 
animal  and  organic  life,  expend  all  their  resources  convul- 
sively, for  maintaining  their  conflict  with  the  pathological 
phenomena.  The  recuperative  po^vers  are  still  exerted  to 
their  utmost  efficiency,  but  unavailingly ; — as  the  very  radi- 
cles of  recuperative  excitation  are  in  such  eases  pjoisoned, 
inevitably,  to  the  extent  of  rapid  dissolution,  of  all  the  vital 
energies  of  the  organization. 

From  just  considerations  therefore  of  the  nature  of  the 
causes  productive  of  yellow  fevers,  and  of  all  other  malig- 
nant epidemics, — and  of  the  operation  of  all  the  other  causes, 
of  all  the  other  fevers,  however  mild  or  severe  they  may 
be, — we  have  every  reason  to  conclude,  that  all  noxious 
agents  productive  of  such  depressions  and  congestions  of  the 
vital  powers,  as  are  either  accompanied,  or  sooner  or  later 
succeeded,  by  inflammations  or  fevers,  or  both,  must  be  con- 
sidered and  recognized  by  true  philosophy,  as  succeeded  by 
the  salutary  excitations  of  the  conservative  powers ; — not  by 
diseased  actions.  Precisely  the  same  reasoning  is  applica- 
ble to  such  pathological  phenomena  as  are  originated  by  the 
super  orsub-excitation  of  salutary  agents,  whenever  succeed- 
ed by  reaction,  or  recuperative  excitation.  And,  precisely 
the  same  reasoning  applies,  to  the  pathological  conditions 
characterizing  all  diseases  wliatever,  however  local  or  gene- 
ral they  may  be,  whenever  they  are  accompanied  or  succeed- 


65 

ed  by  irritations,  or  inflanynations,  or  fevfers;  or  spasms,  and 
convulsions ; — for  they  are  all,  such  recuperative  excitations 
of  the  conservative  powers,- as  the  depressed  conditions  of 
the  organization  are  able  to  institute. 

If  it  be  duly  considered  that  in  many  cases  the  causes  of 
yellow  fever,  and  other  malignant  fevers,  have  operated  in 
such  overwhelming  manner,  that  the  vital  energies  of  the 
system  are  prostrated  to  almost  instantaneous  destruction; — 
that  in  many  cases,  they  are  applied  to  the  production  of 
dissolution  in  a  few  hours;  — and  that  in  neither  of  this  de- 
scription of  cases,  any  thing  like  reaction  occurs; — do  they 
not  furnish  .proof  conclusive,  that  the  depressions  and  con- 
gestions thus  occasioned  by  such  concentrated  noxious  sti- 
muli, constitute  the  sum  total  of  the  diseased  actions; — and 
that  all  such  depressions  and  congestions  of  nervous  power, 
or  premonitory  symptoms  as  they  are  called,  which  are  suc- 
ceeded by  inflammations  or  fevers,  must  be  recognized  by 
all  veritable  philosophy,  as  being  succeeded  by  such  salutary 
operations  of  the  conservative  powers  as  nature  is  capable  of 
effecting?  The  noxious  agents  productive  of  yellow  fevers 
in  some  peculiar  constitutions,  operate  to  the  total  destruc- 
tion of  vitality  in  a  short  time,  in  such  an  insidious  and  in- 
scrutable manner,  as  to  give  to  the  sufferers  no  painful  sen- 
sations whatever.  In  these  cases,  the  noxious  stimuli  have 
produced  such  concentratedly  malignant  pathological  condi- 
tions, as  to  utterly  preclude  the  nervous  radicles  from  insti- 
tuting any  perceptfble  recuperation. at  all.  The  sensations, 
or  powers  to  raise  them,  are  destroyed,  entirel}'^  beyond  re- 
cuperative excitation,  and  not  a  symptom  of  reaction  occurs. 
These  cases  surely  are  not  to  be  recognized  by  philosophy 
as  fevers  or  inflammations; — they  are  incontrovertibly  to  be 
considered  as  consisting  of  such  overwhelming  prostrations 
of  the  vital  powers,  as  constitutes  such  paralysis  of  theor- 
ganization  as  rapidly  extinguishes  total  vitality,  unless  by 
appropriately  potent  medications,  the  pathological  conditions 
can  be  so  far  resolved  or  ameliorated,  as  to  enable  the  ner- 
vous centres  to  institute  such  recuperative  excitations,  as  by 


66 

duly  philosophical  therapeutical  management,  may  be  made 
to  thoroughly  eliminate  the  pathological  phenomena.  Such 
paralytic  cases  in  yellow  fevers,"  plagues,  or  other  malignant 
epidemics,  arising  from  highly  concentrated  causes,  are  nu- 
merous and  much  diversified,  as  being  more  or  less  singu- 
larly local  or  general,  and  oftentimes  peculiarly  and  singu- 
larly anomalous : — and  it  is  to  be  observed,  and  particularly 
noted,  that  they  are  not  to  be  cured  in  any  other  way  than 
by  raising  fevers  and  inflammations  by  appropriately  potent 
medication,  and  conducting  such  fevers  and  inflammations 
by  appropriately  powerful  medication,  to  successful  elimina- 
tion of  the  morbid  sensibilities  through  their  legitimate  criti- 
cal outlets, — the  secretions  and  excretions.  Are  fevers  and 
inflammations  thus  raised  to  be  considered  morbid  processes? 
It  cannot  be  too  often  repeated,  nor  too  particularly  noted 
and  recollected,  that  such  paralytic  cases  of  disease  are  sel- 
dom cured  without  appropriate  medication.  However  singu- 
larly local,  or  more  or  less  general  and  anomalous,  the  para- 
lytic congestions  in  these  cases  may  be  manifested  to  philo- 
sophic observation,  nature  seldom  raises  recuperative  excita- 
tions to  the  requisite  standard  of  elimination.  If  any  recu- 
peration can  be  considered  as  instituted  in  these  cases  by  the 
conservative  powers,  it  will  be  exclusively  manifested  to 
observation  in  nervous  tremors,  subsultus  tendinum,  spasms, 
or  convulsions; — and  the  circulations,  if. raised  at  all,  will 
manifest  it  in  a  tumultuously  and  convulsively  hurried,  flur- 
ried, feeble  and  ineffectual  manner,  entirely  different  from 
salutary  recuperation.  The  sensorial  energies  are  either  so 
depressed,  congested  and  paralyzed,  by  the  noxious  causes, 
that  their  operations  are  unavoidably  and  exclusively  mani- 
fested to  philosophic  observation,  by  transitory  but  frequently 
often-repeated  spasmodic  and  convulsive  efforts; — or  the 
nervous  centres  are  so  overwhelmed  and  inoperative,  that 
the  general  circulations  are  frequently  lowered  to  from  thirty 
to  forty  pulsations  in  the  minute,  and  the  capillary  circula- 
tions consequently  rendered  totally  torpid  and  toneless. 
Will  it  therefore  still  be  contended,  that  fevers  and  in- 


67 

flammations  are  morbid  actions,  when  appropriately  philo- 
sophic consideration  is  given  to  the  indisputable  fact,  that 
no  such  cases  were  ever  cured  in  any  other  way  than  by 
medicating  the  depressed  vital  powers  to  the  production  of 
these  very  fevers  and  inflammations,  which  have  forever  been 
so  unphilosophically  considered,  as  constituting  essentially 
the  diseased  processes? 

The  noxious  stimuli  causative  of  the  highest  grades  of 
yellow  fevers,  as  well  as  other  malignant  epidemics,  inva- 
riably depress  the  energies  of  the  organization  to  more  or 
less  dcpravement  of  the  secretions,  and  in  many  cases  to 
their  total  prevention, — whether  the  deleterious  operations 
of  the  morbid  miasmata  be  succeeded  by  sthenic  or  asthenic, 
spasmodic  or  convulsive  recuperation,  or  by  none'at  all; — 
as  when  the  organization  is  paralyzed  to  the  irrecuperative 
extent.  The  urinary  secretion,  among  others,  may  be,  and 
often  is,  totally  suspended,  to  the  inevitable  destruction  of 
total  vitality,  if  restoration  of  this  and  the  other  secretions 
be  not  effected  through  the  medium  of  efficiently  philosophic 
medication.  We  have  seen  many  cases  of  this  description, 
with  total  suppression  of  urine,  occurring  sooner  or  later, 
during  the  ravaging  progress  "of  the  morbid  sensibilities: — 
and  we  have  lately  seen  two  cases  of  yellow  fever  commencing 
suddenly  with  total  suppression  of  urine,  and  general  torpor 
of  the  organization,  not  only  in  the  animal  department  of  it, 
but  particularly  a  total  paralytic  stagnation  of  all  the  organic 
or  assimilative  functions, — respiration  unusually  slow,  -and 
laboriously  difficult, — the  general  circulations  exceedingly 
laboured,  performing  their  pulsations  not  oftener  than  thirty 
in  the  minute,  in  an  intermitting  and  feebly  spasmodic  man- 
ner, and  the  capillary  circulations  totally  torpid  and  tone- 
less;— proving  incontestibly,not  only,  that  all  the  subordinate 
agents  of  the  nervous  organization  were  rendered  powerless 
and  toneless  by  the  morbid  miasmata,  but  also  that  the  pri- 
mary radicles  of  total  vitality — ^^the  nervous  centres  them- 
selves—were participative  of  the  morbid  sensibility  to  an 
extent  thoroughly  preclusive  of  recuperation.     The  two  pa- 


68 

tients  thus  saturated  with  pathological  phenomena  by  the 
noxious  agents,  were  cured  by  warm  and  stimulant  bathing, 
frequently  and  appropriately  repeated,  by  appropriately  co- 
pious venesection,  appropriately  repeated,  while  they  were 
in  their  baths, — by  unceasing  frictions,  with  the  most  pungent 
penetrating  stimulants  to  the  whole  superficies  of  the  organi- 
zation,— by  appropriate  diffusible  stimuli  appropriately  admi- 
nistered intei roily,  and  the  frequent  use  of  appropriately 
stimulant  enemata.-  By  unremitted  perseverance  in  these 
remediate  measures,  the  torpid  and  stagnant  conditions  of 
their  organizations  were  resolved,  to  such  extent  as  enabled 
their  nervous  centres  to  take  effective  cognizance  of  the  mor- 
bid sensibilities,  and  institute  appropriate  recuperation  in  all 
the  circulations.  This  recuperation,  by  appropriate  medica- 
tion, was  rendered  conductive  to  the  removal  of  the  torpid 
state  of  the  alimentary  canal,  and  adjacent  secretory  organs, 
by  appropriately  stimulating  purgatives; — to  the  restoration 
of  the  secretions  and  excretions  pertaining  to  the  capillary 
circulations,  by  appropriate  diaphoretics ; — and  to  the  resto- 
ration of  the  urinary  secretion  and  excretion,  by  appropriate 
diuretic  remedies; — principally  in  both  these  cases,  by  the 
prompt  and  persevering  exhibition  of  the  muriated  tincture 
of  iron.  These  two  cases  would  have  run  rapidly  to  total 
dissolution,  but  for  unremitted  perseverance  in  appropriately 
philosophical  medication,  which  unlocked  the  pathological 
congestions  of  the  organizations  respectively  to  the  institu- 
tion* of  febrific  recuperation,  and  eliminated  them  through 
their  legitimate  emunctories.  An  untiring  and  uninterrupted 
perseverance  therefore,  in  the  use  of  appropriately  potent 
and  philosophic  medication,  is  indispensably  necessary  to 
resolve  and  eliminate  the  pathological  phenomena  charac- 
terizing the  highest  grades  of  all  diseases,  arising  from  what- 
soever causative  agents.  This  is  an  important  truth,  and 
though  well  known  to  medical  philqsophers  and  practitioners, 
worthy  of  particular  presentment  to  their  consideration; — 
for  thousands  of  valuable  lives  are  annually  sacrificed,  by  not 
appropriately  persevering  in  appropriately  philosophic  me- 


69 

dication.      It  will  not  be  denied,  that  patients  afflicted  with 

diseases  of  highest  grades  arising  from  whatsoever  causes, 
are  too  often  abandoned  to  their  fate,  when  perseverance  in 
scientific  treatment  would  have  rescued  them  from  destruc- 
tion. The  practice  of  medicine  is  the  practice  of  its  philo- 
soph}',  and  although  the  practice  of  the  same  philosophy  for 
the  treatment  of  all  the  grades  of  morbid  sensibilities  arising 
from  the  same  causative  agents  be  indispensably  demanded 
for  the  resolution  and  expulsion  of  the  morbid  sensibilities 
through  the  legitimate  outlets,  yet  the  fulfilment  of  such 
philosophy  in  the  different  grades,  is  to  be  accomplished  by 
very  different  medicating  agents,  and  by  such  management 
of  them  as  cannot  be  comprehended,  except  by  talented,  ex- 
perienced, and  philosophic  practitioners.  The  study  and 
practice  of  the  science  of  medicine  is  of  all  the  pursuits  of 
man  the  noblest; — but  nothing  short  of  mastering,  treating, 
and  practising  its  positive,  undeniable,  total  philosophy,  will 
ever  rescue  it  from  the  infamous  reproaches  of  quackery,  to  • 
which  it  has  forever  been  more  or  less  subjected.  We  pro- 
ceed in  unfolding,  at  any  rate,  the  outlines  of  such  philoso- 
phy, as  under  due  recognition  and  appreciation,  will  inevita- 
bly emancipate  it  from  such  contumelious  ignominy. 

We  repeat  then,  that  we  have  undeniably  every  reason  to 
conclude,  although  contrary  to  the  opinion  of  all  medical 
philosophers,  that  fevers  and  inflammatrons  cannot  be  con- 
sidered morbid,  but  salutary  excitations,  raised  by  the  vis 
medicatrix  naturas: — for  all  the  highest  grades  of  morbid 
sensibilities  presented  to  our  observation,  during  the  preva- 
lence of  yellow  fevers,  plagues,  choleras,  or  any  other  ma- 
lignant epidemic,  when  not  sooner  or  later  succeeded  by  such 
excitations,  cannot  be  cured  in  any  other  possible  way,  than 
by  and  through  the  mediation  of  such  philosophically  potent 
medication,  as  will  resolve  the  locked,  suffocated,  congested 
Btate  of  the  organization,  and  conduct  the  vital  energies  thus 
released,  to  the  institution  of  these  very  fevers  and  inflam- 
mations, that  may  by  appropriate  remediate  management,  be 
led  to  the  production  of  the  requisite  critical  eliminating  eva- 
10 


70 

cuations,  through  the  several  secretory  and  excretory  pro- 
cesses of  the  organization. 

We  conclude  therefore,  without  any  fear  of  successful 
contradiction,  that  all  diseases  whatever,  however  locally  or 
generally  manifested  to  observation, — however  mildly  or 
severely  and  concentratedly,  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organi- 
zation may  have  been  primarily  pathologized  by  the  causa- 
tive agents,  or  been  made  so  consecutively  through  nervous 
sympathy,  are  resolved  and  eliminated,  exclusively  by  and 
through  the  salutary  influences  of  such  fevers  and  inflamma- 
tions, as  are  either  raised  by  nature,  or  appropriately  philo- 
sophic medication,  in  the  capillary  or  general  circulations,  or 
both.  A  strictly  philosophical  investigation  of  all  the  pa- 
thological phenomena  characterizing  all  the  different  and 
immensely  varied  morbid  sensibilities  that  flesh  and  blood 
are  heir  to,  conclusively  proves  this  sweeping  proposition — 
a  proposition,  which  under  appropriately  philosophic  recog- 
nition and  appreciation,  places  the  science  of  medicine  on 
the  true  and  legitimate  basis  for  all  such  improvement,  as 
the  laws  regulating  the  vitality  of  bur  exclusively  nervous 
organization,  can  render  it  susceptible  of,  now  and  forever. 

We  are  prepared  therefore  to  present  to  the  understanding 
and  acknowledgment  of  all  truly  medical  philosophers,  that 
the  initial  or  premonitory  symptoms  as  they  are  called  of 
fevers  and  InflammE^tions,  constitute  the  essential  characteris- 
tics, not  only  of  all  the  morbid  actions  occasioned  by  the 
causative  agents,  from  their  primary  invasion,  until  they  ef- 
fect their  entrance  into  one  or  more  parts  of  the  organiza- 
tion, and  gain  locations  for  effecting  and  extending  their  ra- 
vages;— but  also,  until  the  conservative  powers  excite  the 
salutary  operations  of  fevers  or  inflammations,  or  both;  and 
either  with  or  without  appropriate  medication,  as  the  nature 
of  the  case  may  be,  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  through 
their  legitimate  outlets. 

Fevers  and  inflammations  have  always  been  considered 
morbid  phenomena,  because,  in  general,  they  require  appro- 
priate remediate  management  to  produce  elimination  of  the 


71 

morbid  sensibilities; — but  it  cannot  be  too  often  repeated, 
and  presented  to  the  particular  reminiscence  of  medical  phi- 
losophers, that  all  the  mildest  grades  of  fevers  and  inflamma- 
tions sequent  to  the  operation  of  the  causative  agents,  are 
operative  to  the  ])roduction  of  elimination  without  medica- 
tion: that  many  of  the  milder  grades  of  yellow  fevers,  or 
any  other  malignant  epidemics,  and  indeed  all  the  mildest 
grades  of  fevers  and  inflammations  accompanying  or  soon 
succeeding  mild  morbid  sensibilities  from  whatsoever  causa- 
tive agents  arising,  are  thoroughly  adequate  to  effect  all  the 
indispensably  necessary  secretions  and  excretions  for  elimi- 
nation, particularly  in  constitutions  previously  sound  and 
vigorous. 

That  all  noxious  agents,  from  their  primary  invasion  un- 
til their  effective  fixity  in  the  organization,  be  it  longer  or 
shorter,  operate  more  or  less  poisonously  on  and  in  the  vital 
parts  affected  by  them,  must  unavoidably  be  admitted  by  all 
true  philosophy;  for  all  agents  not  salutary  in  their  opera- 
tion, inevitably  weaken,  depress,  congest,  or  stagnate  and 
poison,  not  only  the  nervous  energies  of  the  parts  primarily 
implicated  in  the  morbid  sensibilities,  arising  from  their  ap- 
plication, but  likewise,  in  general,  many  other  parts  becom- 
ing receptive  of  the  primary  pathological  conditions,  through 
the  sympathetic  influence  palpably  manifest  to  philosophic 
observation,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  throughout  every  de- 
partment of  the  exclusively  nervous  organization.  And  that 
the  conservative  powers  may  easily,  and  generally,  without 
any  aid  from  medication,  eliminate  the  milder  poisons  from 
whatsoever  sources,  or  varieties  of  sources  arising,  is  easy  of 
apprehension,  and  correctly  philosophic  appreciation.  But 
because  the  higher  grades  of  morbid  sensibilities  arising  from 
causative  agents  more  malignant  in  their  nature,  and  depres- 
sive of  nervous  power  in  their  application,  originate  fevers 
and  inflammations,  requiring  much  appropriately  philosophic 
medication,  to  enable  them  to  eliminate  the  morbid  pheno- 
mena,— are  such  fevers  and  inflammations,  with  any  show 
of  philosophy,  to  be  considered  as  diseased  processes,  and  to 


72 

exhibit  such  affinity  in  their  nature  and  characteristics,  as  to 
be  ranked  with  the  pathological  phenomena  directly  sequent 
to  the  operations  of  the  causative  agents?     It  will  hardly  be 
deemed  consistent  with  true  philosophy,  to   deny  to   the 
nervous  energies  of  the  organization,  the  power  to  resist, 
in  very   many   eases  successfully,  the  introduction  of  the 
most  malignant  stimuli  into  it,  however  long  and  constantly 
exposed  to  them.     Through  what  other  agency  but  that  ex- 
erted by  the  conservative  powers — the  nervous  energies — 
is  the  organization  in  such  cases,  enabled  to  resist  thus  sue- 
fully?  And  will  it  be  philosophically  contended,  that  when- 
ever the  causative  agents  have  overpowered   the  resisting 
powers,  and  effected  their  fixity  in  the  system,  that  all  the 
resisting  powers  are  annihilated?  If  not  annihilated,  in  what 
part  or  parts  of  the  nervous  organization  are  they  manifested 
to  observation;  and  after  what  mode  or   manner  of  action, 
rendered  presentive  to  appreciation?*  The  resisting  power  is 
the  conservative  power, — the  nervous,  vital  power,  always 
more  or  less  weakened  by  the  morbid  stimuli,  according  to 
the  nature,  quantity,  and  extent  of  their  location,  in  a  greater 
or  less  number  of  important  vital  organs.     When  therefore 
this  power  of  vital  resistance  in  the  organization  is  totally 
extinguished,   its  terrestial.  vitality  is  totally  extinguished. 
Whenever,  therefore,  the  causative  agents  are  excessively 
poisonous  in  their  composition,  and  applied  in  an  unusually 
accumulated  and  concentrated  state, — either  slightly  glim- 
mering and  flickering,  feeble  and  inefficient  recuperative  ex- 
citations, or  no  febrile  or  inflammatory,  and  in  many  cases, 
not  even  spasmodic  and  convulsive  recuperation,  will  be  in- 
stituted by  the  nervous  centres: — proving  incontestibly,  that 
all  the  pathological  conditions  which  thus  rapidly  run  the 
organization  to  the  extinction  of  vitality,  are  to  be  exclu- 
sively found,  not  in  any  of  the  fevers  or  other  recuperative 
manifestations,  but  in  the  irresolvable  prostrations  and  con- 
gestions, directly  sequential  to  the  reception  and  deleterious 
operation  of  the  poisonous  stimuli,  which  have  paralyzed, 
either  totally  beyond  efficient  recuperation,  or  beyond  any 


73 

recuperative  manifestation  at  all,  all  the  nervous  vital  ener- 
gies of  the  system. 

The  conservative  powers  therefore,  in  these  overwhelm- 
ing congestions  of  nervous  energy,  from  the  baneful  ope- 
ration of  the  noxious  stimuli,  though  not  positively  inopera- 
tive, until  the  nervous  centres  of  vitality  be  extinguished, 
are  not  manifested  in  such  manner  as  to  meet  the  observa- 
tion and  appreciation  of  any  other  than  talented,  experienced 
and  philosophic  practitioners.  They  will  recognize  and  ap- 
preciate the  operativeness  of  the  conservative  powers,  from 
the  primary  invasion  of  the  causative  agents,  until  they  have 
completed  their  malignant  work  of  destruction.  As  long  as 
life  lasts  therefore,- we  are  to  philosophically  consider  the 
sanatary  powers  of  the  organization,  however  feebly  and  un- 
availingly  they  may  be  manifested,  as  more  or  less  operative, 
although  not  to  the  observation  and  appreciation  of  the  or- 
dinary run  of  medical  practitioners. 

A  constant  contention  is  therefore  operative,  as  long  as 
life  lasts,  between  the  conservative  powers  and  deleterious 
effects  of  the  noxious  agents,  in  which  all  the  diseased  ac- 
tions consist. 

This  contention  is  simultaneously  coexistent  in  all  cases 
of  exposure  to  the  causative  agents,  with  their  invasion  ; — - 
and  continues  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  as  long  as  vitality 
continues,  or  till  the  sanatary  powers  have  effected  eliniina- 
tion. 

We  have  reason  to  feel  assured,  therefore,  that  all  medi- 
cal philosophers,  who  will  justly  consider  and  estimate  the 
feebleness  and  frailty  of  the  vital  powers,  inherent  and  ope- 
rative, in  the  ordinary  organization  of  human  beings; — that 
from  the  constant  variation  in  the  states  and  conditions  even 
of  the  salutary  stimuli,  supportive  of  vitality,  they  are  sel- 
dom receptive  and  operative,  to  the  production  and  continu- 
ance, for  any  considerable  period  of  time,  of  perfect  health; 
and  that,  from  their  being  so  easily  assailed  by  insalutary 
agents,  they  so  easily  yield  to  the  reception  and  transmission 
of  their  ravaging  operations  throughout  the  organization: — 


74 

they  surely  will  meet  with  little  difficulty  in  recognizing, 
that  the  depressive  and  congestive  effects  of  the  noxious 
agents,  constitute  exclusively  the  essential  characteristics  of 
all  diseases  whatever;  and  that  in  all  cases  in  which  the  de- 
leterious operations  of  such  agents  are  sufficiently  recovered 
from,  by  the  conservative  powers,  to  raise  fevers  and  inflam- 
mations ; — the  conservative  powers  are  to  be  philosophically 
considered  as  having  raised  such  salutary  recuperative  exci- 
tations in  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments  of  the 
organization,  as  they  have  been  in  the  different  organiza- 
tions respectively  enabled  to  raise,  for  resolving  and  elimi- 
nating the  morbid  sensibilities,  constituting  the  sum  total  of 
the  diseased  actions. 

It  must,  therefore,  we  conclude,  be  plainly  and  philoso- 
phically appreciated,  beyond  all  power  of  successful  dispu- 
tation, that  all  irritations  or  inflammations  or  fevers,  how- 
ever local  or  general  they  may  be,  which  are  either  raised 
at  the  time,  or  after  the  reception  and  location  of  the  causa- 
tive agents,  in  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization,  either 
naturally  or  through  the  influence  of  appropriate  medication, 
are  such  salutary  operations  as  the  conservative  powers  are 
either  capable  of  instituting  themselves,  or  of  having  insti- 
tuted, by  philosophic  medication  ; — and  by  philosophic  me- 
dication exclusively.  It  surely  will  not  still  be  contended, 
that  the  conservative  powers  are  dormant,  during  the  ravages 
of  the  pathological  phenomena  occasioned  by  the  noxious 
agents; — and  if  they  are  not  thus  dormant,  in  what  other 
manner  are  they,  or  can  they  be  operative,  than  in  raising 
the  said  fevers  and  inflammations  ?  Such  sanatary  exertions 
as  the  conservative  powers  are  capable  of  exciting,  when  any 
part  of  the  system  is  under  the  ravaging  operations  of  the 
causative  agents,  cannot  be  made  in  any  other  way,  than  by 
and  through  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments; — 
the  two  grand  and  principal  agents  of  vitality,  directly  and 
indispensably,  and  elaboratingly  subservient  to  the  influences 
of  such  exertions  as  are  made  by  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles 
of  the  total  vitality  of  the  total  organization.     If  they  can, 


75 

in  what  part  or  parts  of  the  organization  are  they  operative? 
and  in  what  way  can  they  be  made  manifest  to  observation? 

To  deny,  therefore,  that  fevers  and  inflammations  are  not 
philosophically  to  be  considered  and  recognized  as  recupera- 
tive processes,  is  tantamount  to  denying  that  tiiere  is  any 
resistance  at  all  made  by  the  conservative  powers,  when  the 
orgiinization,  or  any  part  of  it,  is  under  the  malignant  in- 
fluence of  morbid  stimuli — tantamount  to  denying  to  the  or- 
ganization any  conservative  power  at  all.  We  repeat,  that 
in  all  our  investigations  of  the  vital  phenomena,  we  should 
never  lose  sight  of  the  feebleness  and  frailty  of  the  vital 
powers, — how  diflicultly  they  are  maintained  in  a  perfectly 
salutary  condition,  for  any  considerable  period  of  time; — 
and  how  easily,  therefore,  they  are  enfeebled  and  deranged 
in  their  actions,  when  exposed  to,  and  under  the  influence 
of  noxious  agents.  JNIedical  philosophers  would  assuredly 
reason  to  much  more  effective  purpose,  if  they  would  simply 
recollect  what  they  very  well  know,^-the  textural  tender- 
ness of  the  composition  of  man, — that  he  was  purposely 
created  by  Deity  with  powers,  but  for  a  short  duration  here 
in  time,  and  that  these  powers  are  so  easily  demolished  by 
the  noxious  agents  almost  invariably  surrounding  and  assail- 
ing him,  despite  of  his  best  exertions  to  escape  their  delete- 
rious influences.  This  consideration,  *'in  spite  of  pride,  and 
in  erring  reason's  spite,"  must  inevitably  lead  all  the  logical 
investigators  of  medical  science  to  recognize  the  truth  of  all 
our  reasonings  on  this  important  subject, — a  subject  of  all 
others  the  most  interesting  to  man. ' 

It  need  then,  excite  no  surprise,  that  the  recuperative  ex- 
citations should  require  appropriately  philosophical  medica- 
tions, to  enable  them  to  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities, 
whenever  the  noxious  agents  have  gained  their  location  in 
the  organization,  and  enfeebled  and  depressed  the  nervous 
vital  powers,  which,  previous  to  their  entrance,  were  so 
feeble.  Surely  then,  the  causes  which  render  the  recupera- 
tive powers  successful  in  eliminating  the  milder  pathological 
phenomena,  are  palpably  obvious  to  all  philosophic  physio- 


76 

legists  and  pathologists; — and  the  causes  which  render  them 
so  inoperative  in  eflfecting  elimination  of  the  more  concen- 
trated and  virulent  pathological  conditions,  without  appro- 
priate medication,  equally  obvious. 

True  philosophy,  therefore,  requires  us  to  recognize  and 
appreciate  the  indisputable  fact,  that  all  fevers  and  inflamma- 
tions are  such  salutary  operations  as  the  organization  is  capa- 
ble of  instituting,  when  under  the  influence  of  noxious  sti- 
muli;— which  in  previously  healthy  constitutions,  slightly 
affected  by  morbid  causes,  are  sufficient  to  effect  their  expul- 
sion, often  without  any  medication, — because  they  are  not 
raised  higher  than  necessary  to  increase  the  secreting  and 
excreting  apparatus  of  the  organization  to  the  requisite  stand- 
ard of  elimination. 

From  all  the  preceding  observations,  it  unanswerably  fol- 
lows, that  all  pathological  conditions  whatsoever,  arising 
either  directly  from  noxious  stimuli,  or  from  salutary  stimuli 
applied  in  excess  or  deficiency,  or  secondarily  and  indirectly 
from  noxious  stimuli  engendered  in  the  interior  of  the  or- 
ganization, are  characterized  exclusively  by  depressions  and 
congestions  of  the  vital  nervous  phenomena,  specifically  per- 
taining to  such  departments  of  the  organization,  as  are  in- 
vaded by  them.  The  study  of  all  the  pathological  conditions 
arising  from  all  the  causative  agents,  however  different  they 
may  be  from  each  other  as  to  cause  and  eflfect,  to  which  the 
organization  is,  may,  or  can  be  subject,  conclusively  and  un- 
avoidably warrants  this  conclusion.  Analyze  the  pathologi- 
cal phenomena  characterizing  any  disease  whatever,  the  re- 
sult will  be  found  and  acknowledged  to  be,  inevitably  con- 
firmatory of  our  position, — which  places  all  the  science  per- 
taining to  the  pathological  department  of  medicine,  on  its 
true  philosophical  basis.  And  it  follows,  with  equal  clear- 
ness and  positiveness,  that  all  the  irritations,  or  inflamma- 
tions, or  fevers,  whether  coexistent  with  the  pathological 
phenomena  from  the  primary  invasion  of  the  causative  agents, 
or  sooner  or  later  sequential  to  them,  are,  when  subjected  to 
the  most  critical,  scrutinizing,  philosophical   analysis,  in 


77 

every  case  of  morbid  sensibility  whatever,  nothing  more 
nor  less  than  such  salutary  operations  of  the  conservative 
powers  of  the  organization  as  nature  is  capableof  instituting; — 
and  that  all  such  jiathological  phenomena  as  are  not  accom- 
panied or  succeeded  by  any  recuperative  excitations  at  all, 
are  destructive  either  totally  or  partially  to  the  vitality  of 
the  organization; — proving,  beyond  all  possibility  of  suc- 
cessful controversy,  that  fevers  and  inflammations  are  indis- 
pensably necessary  to  the  cure  of  all  diseases,  however  locally 
or  generally  aflecting  the  organization. 

The  remote  causes  then  of  all  diseases,  consist  of  all  the 
noxious  stimuli,  which,  when  applied  to,  and  received  into, 
any  part  or  parts  of  the  system,  produce  instantaneous  de- 
pressions and  congestions  of  the  nervous  energies  ; — or  of  sa- 
lutary stimuli  when  rendered  excessively  or  diminishedly 
operative,  on  and  in  any  part  or  parts,  or  the  whole  organi- 
zation, to  the  production  of  depressions  and  congestions  of 
nervous  energy;  or  they  consist  of  such  congenital  morbid 
stimuli,  as  sooner  or  later  develope  their  specific  pathological 
phenomena,  in  some  part  or  parts,  or  of  the  whole  organi- 
zation. These  depressions  and  congestions  of  nervous  en- 
ergy, thus  variously  originated,  the  assemblage  or  aggregate 
of  which  constitutes  the  premonitory  symptoms,  as  they  are 
called,  of  fevers,  are  philosophically  entitled  to  be  consider- 
ed and  denominated  the  proximate  causes;  as  they  are  either 
accompanied,  or  sooner  or  later  succeeded,  by  irritative,  in- 
flammatory, or  febrific  recuperation,  according  to  the  nature 
and  effects  of  the  specific  causes,  and  the  conditions  of  the 
constitutions  pcceptive  of  them.  They  constitute  the  proxi- 
mate cause  of  all  fevers  and  inflammations,  because  such  fe- 
vers and  inflammations  are  always,  in  all  cases  in  which  the 
conservative  powers  are  capable  of  instituting  them,  accom- 
panied or  succeeded  by  them,  in  a  shorter  or  longer  time, — 
in  a  manner  corresponding  with  the  characteristics  of  the 
pathological  conditions,  and  the  conservative  powers  of  the 
constitutions  receptive  of  them. 

The  causative  chain  therefore  of  all  diseases,  is  thus  com- 
11 


78 

pletely  unfolded  to  palpable  view,  and  inevitable  recogni- 
tion:— the  remote,  predisposing,  exciting  and  proximate: — 
the  last  consisting  of  an  assemblage  or  aggregate  of  all  the 
primary  and  sympathetic  pathologiQal  phenomena,  arising 
from  the  application  and  operations  of  the  causative  agents. 
The  remote  and  proximate  causes  are  to  be  philosophically 
considered  as  being  in  the  direct  line  of  cause  and  effect, — 
and  have  exclusive  relation  to  the  operations  of  the  primary 
or  remote  causative  agents ;  and  the  predisposing  and  excit- 
ing are  to  be  considered  with  equal  reason  in  the  same  line, 
but  to  have  an  equally  exclusive  relation  to  the  states  of  the 
constitutions  receptive  of  the  causative  agents. 

We  thus  settle,  and  forever,  the  long-agitated  question  of 
the  proximate  cause  of  fevers  and  inflammations,  in  such 
clear,  undeniable  manner,  that  we  may  consider  it  as  posi- 
tively unfolded  to  intuitive  demonstration. 

We  are  now  prepared  for  understanding  philosophically, 
the  series  of  causes  leading  to  the  reproduction  and  continu- 
ation of  man  : — that  all  his  organization,  by  and  through  the 
operations  of  which  he  is  rendered  a  sentient,  motive,  intel- 
lectual being, — fitting  him  for  the  enjoyment  of  happiness, 
not  only  here,  in  time,  but  giving  him  the  consolatory  as- 
surance of  everlasting  happiness,  after  he  shall  have  shuffled 
off  his  more  grossly  mortal  coil, — are  exclusively  dependent 
on  the  operations  inevitably  pertaining  to  the  nervous  orga- 
nization of  man  ; — the  whole  and  only  system  of  man,  in 
which  vitality  is  inherent,  and  through  which  it  is  operative 
to  the  production  of  our  existence  and  continuance  in  time, 
and  translation  to  eternity.  The  philosophy  therefore  of 
physiology  corporeally  and  intellectually  considered,  is  thus 
presented  palpably  to  recognition  and  satisfactory  apprecia- 
tion : — equally  apparent  is  the  philosophical  operation  of  the 
series  of  causes  leading  to  the  production  of  pathological 
phenomena,  invading  the  corporeal  or  intellectual  depart- 
ments of  the  organization;  and  the  series  of  salutary  opera- 
tions instituted  by  the  conservative  powers  for  eliminating 
such  phenomena,  equally  obvious  and  open  to  the  unqualified 


79 

admission  of  all  philosophic  practitioners  of  medicine,  to  an 
incalculable  extent  of  utility,  in  their  successful  treatment  of 
diseases,  arising  from  whatsoever  causative  agents. 

We  thus  have  a  system  of  medicine  which  philosophically 
and  satisfactorily  accounts  for  the  production  of  all  the  phy- 
siological and  pathological  phenomena,  that  ever  did,  do 
now,  or  can  hereafter  appertain  to  the  healthy  or  diseased 
organization,  in  whatever  situation,  or  under  whatever  cir- 
cumstantial modifications,  man  has  heretofore  been,  is  now, 
or  hereafter,  can  or  may  be  placed.  It  is  a  system  which 
leads  direct  to  the  recognition  and  appreciation  of  all  the 
means  most  philosophically  adapted,  to  insure  the  preser- 
vation and  continuance  of  health ;  and  leads  directly  to 
the  adoption  of  the  most  efficacious  medications  for  eliminat- 
ing all  the  morbid  sensibilities  which  can  assail  and  afflict 
man,  under  every  variety  of  circumstances  in  which  he  may- 
be placed. 

This  truly  logical  and  inductive  system  of  medical  philo- 
sophy, is  the  universal  philosophy  of  medicine, — and  not  to 
be  alTected,  or  in  any  wise  disproved,  by  any  circumstances 
that  do  pertain  to  present,  or  ever  can,  to  future  time: — but 
is  of  universal  philosophical  application,  now  and  forever 
must  be,  for  satisfactorily  explaining  and  elucidating  all  our 
physiological  and  pathological  phenomena,  and  for  conclu- 
sively explaining  and  illustrating  the  modus  operandi  of  re- 
mediate agents,  in  eliminating  all  the  morbid  sensibilities  at 
present  afflicting  mankind,  or  such  as  may  hereafter  afflict 
them,  however  differently  characterized  they  may  be  from 
the  present.  This  irremovably  fixes  the  science  of  medicine 
on  its  true  philosophical  basis,  and  leads  to  all  the  rational 
improvement, — to  all  the  certainty  which  the  peculiar  orga- 
nization of  man,  directly  emanating  from,  and  endowed  by, 
Deity,  with  such  portion  of  his  own  divine  essence, — his 
own  perfect  sensibility,  as  enables  man  to  see  his  road  clear 
to  the  fruition  of  celestial  glories, — will  now  or  ever  in  time 
render  it  capable  of  receiving.  We  thus  approach  as  near 
positive  demonstration,  as  the  organization  of  man  destined 


80 

for  existence  in  time  and  eternity  will  permit.  All  other 
systems  are  built  on  metaphysical  entities, — ours  on  a  chain 
of  self-evident  propositions; — the  acknowledgment  of  which 
is  irresistibly  consequent  to  the  common  sense  examination 
and  investigation  of  our  organization,  in  all  its  varieties  of 
organic  structure,  and  functional  operation.  An  examination 
therefore  of  other  systems,  with  a  view  to  their  refutation, 
is  unnecessary  ;  as  they  are  all  so  evidently  based  on  false 
philosophy  of  the  organization  of  man. 

Spurious  systems  of  medical  philosophy  are  infinitely 
worse  than  none  at  all ; — because  conclusively  preclusive  of 
any  advance  or  improvement  in  the  science.  All  advances 
in  medical  literature  have  been  made  by  our  highly  talented 
and  experienced  practitioners,  without  espousing  any  of  the 
spurious  systems.  Guided  in  their  investigations  by  the  ob- 
servations they  have  made  on  numerous  facts  and  reasonings 
from  them,  they  have  elicited  an  approach  to  the  philoso- 
phical knowledge  of  many  pathological  phenomena,  and  in- 
stitution of  many  efficient  medications ;  and  thereby  improv- 
ed the  science  to  much  extent  of  utility,  without  having  any 
positive  knowledge  of  its  true  philosophy.  All  such  distin- 
guished medical  philosophers  will  readily  recognize  and  duly 
appreciate  the  true  philosophy,  which  we  are  now  opening 
to  their  inspection  ;  because  they  will  find  it  lucidly  and 
conclusively  explanatory  of  all  the  correct  improvements 
they  may  have  drawn  from  their  observations  and  reasonings, 
on  the  many  facts  which  have  been  submitted  to  their  ex- 
amination, and  lead  them  forthwith  to  the  satisfactory  cor- 
rection of  all  such  errors  as  they  may  have  committed  during 
their  investigations  of  such  facts.  They  will  see  and  admit 
the  importance  of  making  the  practice  of  medicine  to  corres- 
pond with  its  philosophy  ;  and  they  will  see  and  admit,  what 
has  never  before  been  seen  and  admitted,  during  the  thou- 
sands of  years  that  the  subject  of  medicine  has  been  under 
more  or  less  consideration, — that  all  irritations,  inflamma- 
tions, and  fevers,  are  identical,  natural  recuperative  excita- 
tions, differing  only  in  degree  of  action; — in  all  cases  indis- 


81 

pensably  necessary  to  resolve  and  expel  all  pathological  con- 
ditions from  whatsoever  causative  agents  arising;  and  that 
all  cases  of  such  deep  depressions  and  congestions  of  ner- 
vous power,  as  preclude  either  nature  or  art  from  exciting 
such  salutary  recuperative  excitations, — extinction  of  vitali- 
ty, either  totally  or  partially,  as  the  nature  of  the  case  may 
be,  will  inevitably  ensue. 

As  therefore  irritations,  inflammations,  and  fevers,  are  na- 
tural salutary  recuperative  phenomena,  indispensably  neces- 
sary to  be  raised  by  nature  or  art,  for  eliminating  every  de- 
scription of  morbid  sensibility,  from  whatsoever  source  aris- 
ingjandhoweverlocallyorgenerallyaffectingthe  organization; 
they  cannot  receive  too  plenary  illustration, — too  detailed 
and  varied  investigation  and  presentment  for  recognition  to 
every  medical  practitioner,  desiring  to  exercise  the  true  phi- 
losophy pertaining  now,  and  forever,  to  his  profession.  We 
shall  continue  therefore,  for  the  purpose  of  making  such  pre- 
sentment of  these  indispensably  necessary  salutary  recupera- 
tive phenomena,  as  will  meet  the  unqualified  recognition  and 
approbation  of  every  philosophic  practitioner,  to  bestow  such 
attentive  consideration  of  them  during  our  progress,  as  their 
high  importance  demands, — and  in  due  time  bestow  more 
particularly  than  we  have  yet  done,  such  observations  re- 
specting the  false  and  abortive  recuperative  phenomena,  ac- 
companying, or  sooner  or  later  succeeding,  a  vast  variety  of 
pathological  phenomena,  arising  from  such  causative  agents 
as  produce  deep  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  nervous 
energies  of  the  organization,  as  will  equally  meet  the  recog- 
nition and  appreciation  of  medical  philosophers.  The  dis- 
cussion of  this  part  of  our  philosophy  will  developc  the  very 
arcana  of  the  science  to  the  inevitable  acknowledgment  of 
every  scientific  practitioner  of  medicine  ; — and  exclusively 
to  such  meritorious  members  of  our  noble  profession,  we  re- 
spectfully tender  the  presentment  of  our  philosophy. 

All  pathological  phenomena  ar6  occasioned  by  noxious 
agents,  effecting  their  entrance  into  the  organization,  through 
any  part  or  parts  of  it,  externally  or  internally  considered, 


82 

that  may  happen  to  be  most  debilitated,  or  from  some  pecu- 
liar constitutional  idiosyncrasy,  most  predisposed  to  their 
reception; — or  they  are  occasioned  by  salutary  stimuli,  when 
applied  to  excessive  or  diminished  operativeness,  on,  or  in, 
the  organization,  whether  debilitated  and  peculiarly  predis- 
posed to  become  thus  pathologized  or  not;  —or  they  may  be 
occasioned  by  noxious  stimuli,  engendered  in  the  interior 
molecular  departments  of  the  organization,  by  morbid  ac- 
tions of  various  kinds,  from  various  causes,  secondarily  or 
indirectly  induced, — though  in  a  direct  sense  considered, 
arising  originally  from  obvious  causes,  far  remote.  Here- 
ditary diseases,  and  diseases  from  malconformation,  arise 
respectively  from  their  respective  and  appropriate  noxious 
stimuli.  Gout,  asthma,  phthisis,  scrofula,  syphilis,  and  many 
other  diseases,  regularly  descend  from  parents  to  their  oflf- 
spring;  and  the  noxious  stimuli  eliciting  them  become  phi- 
losophically appreciable,  in  the  defectibility  and  depravation 
respectively,  of  their  original  inceptive  germs  of  reproduc- 
tion, preventing  salutary  organization, — the  germs  of  vivifi- 
cation  are  imperfectly  elaborated  by  the  imperfect  organiza- 
tion of  one  or  both  parents; — the  seminal  secretions  are  de- 
fective and  vitiated, — therefore  cannot  progress  to  healthy 
maturity.  The  solids  and  fluids  of  the  reproductive  agents 
are  imbued  with  their  respectively  appropriate  noxious  sti- 
muli, which  are  thus  transmitted  to  their  offspring,  and  be- 
come therefore  inevitably  operative  to  the  production  of 
similar  maladies.  The  noxious  stimuli  in  this  manner  origi- 
nating hereditary  diseases,  and  diseases  of  malconformation, 
become  palpably  appreciable  to  philosophic  observation. 
True  philosophy  recognizes  with  equal  clearness  and  posi- 
tiveness  from  similar  causation,  the  parental  origination  and 
transmission  of  virtues  and  vices.  We  are  therefore  prepared 
for  thoroughly  understanding  the  nature  and  characteristics 
of  all  diseases,  that  may,  or  can,  be  presented  to  our  observa- 
tion, from  every  variety  of  causation,  to  which  the  organiza- 
tion of  man  is,  or  may  become  liable; — and  of  the  recupera- 
tive excitations  that  are  raised  by  nature,  or  may  be,  or  not, 


83 

by  art,  for  their  elimination.  And  we  arc  prepared  for  un- 
derstanding, not  only  that  different  causative  agents  produce 
different  pathological  phenomena,  and  that  different  patholo- 
gical phenomena  produce  correspondently  ditroront  recupe- 
rative excitations,  but  that  identical  causative  agents  produce 
in  different  constitutions,  both  different  pathological  and  re- 
cuperative phenomena ; — and  that  the  noxious  agents  pro- 
ductive of  epidemic  yellow  fevers,  and  all  other  malignant 
epidemics,  are  different  in  the  same  localities,  in  different 
seasons  of  theit*  prevalence,  and  originate  correspondently 
different  pathological  conditions,  and  recuperative  excita- 
tions, according  to  the  peculiar  predispositions  and  idiosyn- 
crasies of  the  organizations  receptive  of  them ; — and  that, 
consequently,  the  same  malignant  epidemics  in  different  lo- 
calities, will  be  varied  in  a  still  more  remarkable  manner, 
as  to  all  their  causative,  pathological,  and  recuperative  ma- 
nifestations. And  it  is  also  equally  obvious,  that  the  patho- 
logical phenomena  will  be  more  or  less  easily  resolved,  and 
eliminated  from  the  system,  according  to  the  specific  nature 
and  malignancy  of  the  causative  agents,  and  according  to  the 
specific  nature  of  the  organic  structures,  and  functional  ope- 
rations, of  the  parts  of  the  organization  invaded: — for  as  all 
noxious  stimuli  are  specifically  poisonous  in  their  effects, 
when  they  have  attained  their  positive  location  in  the  sys- 
tem, it  follows  that  they  will  act  more  or  less  deleteriously, 
according  to  the  nature  and  more  or  less  vitally  important 
relationship  which  the  part  or  parts,  both  primarily  and  con- 
secutively affected  by  them,  bear  to  the  total  vitality  of  the 
organization.  Thus,  if  the  brain  become  their  primary  reci- 
pient, the  very  radicle  of  total  vitality  is  pathologized,  and 
if  severely,  to  speedy  destruction, — or,  which,  is  the  same 
thing,  to  the  preclusion  of  any  salutary  and  effective  recu- 
peration:— if  the  lungs  should  be  their  primary  recipient, 
and  become  pathologized  to  the  irrecuperative  extent,  disso- 
lution of  total  vitality  must  speedily  ensue,  unless  their  con- 
gestive condition  be  removed  by  appropriate  medication, 
and  recuperation  be  salutarily  instituted.     If  through  these 


84 

organs,  the  noxious  stimuli  should  extend  into  the  circula- 
tions, and  the  blood,  and  heart,  and  membranes  lining  the 
heart  and  arteries,  be  poisoned  by  them,  inevitable  destruc- 
tion must  rapidly  ensue,  unless  their  congestions  be  removed, 
and  salutary  recuperation  established.  When  the  lungs  and 
heart  thus  become  the  recipients  of  noxious  agents  in  high 
states  of  concentration,  quick  destruction  of  total  vitality  en- 
sues, unless  prevented  in  the  manner  mentioned ; — because, 
these  organs  are  the  two  grand  agents,  not  only  for  conduct- 
ing the  vital  power  from  the  nervous  centres  to  every  de- 
partment of  the  organization,  but  they  are  likewise  the  ex- 
clusively recuperating  instruments  for  eliminating  morbid 
sensibilities.  The  stomach  and  intestines,  liver,  and  other 
viscera,  having  intimate  connexion  with  them,  are  all  so 
intimately  connected  with,  and  subservient  to  the  elabora- 
tion of  the  vital  energies  of  the  central  radicles  of  innerva- 
tion, that  whenever  they  or  any  of  them,  or  the  urinary  ap- 
paratus, or  other  viscera,  or  membranes,  become  deeply  pa- 
thologized  by  highly  noxious  agents,  the  radical  powers  of 
vitality  may  be,  and  often  are,  paralyzed  beyond  the  power 
of  instituting  any  recuperative  excitations  at  all,  or  if  any, 
only  such  as  are  feeble  and  inefficient,  and  utterly  unavail- 
ing, or  spasmodic  and  convulsive. 

In  all  such  cases,  the  most  important  organs  for  elaborat- 
ing to  perfection  the  vital  energies  of  the  radicles  of  the 
nervous  organization,  are  deeply  and  directly  affected  by  the 
noxious  agents; — and  the  recuperative  excitations,  if  raised 
at  all,  are  palpably  recognized  to  be  engaged  in  deadly  com- 
bat with  the  pathological  phenomena,  which  are  frequently, 
either  from  their  primary  or  secondary  locations  through 
sympathy,  or  both,  so  destructive  to  the  vital  organs  impli- 
cated in  them,  that  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles  of  innervation 
are  rendered  incapable  of  instituting  any  recuperative  opera- 
tions at  all.  In  many  other  cases,  the  vital  radicles  of  the 
organization  are  so  depressed  and  congested,  that  nothing 
more  than  the  feeblest  and  most  inefficient  recuperative  ex- 
citations can  be  raised  by  them  in  the  capillary  or  general 


85 

circulations.  In  otlier  cases,  they  are  precluded  from  insti- 
tuting any  other  than  spasmodic  and  convulsive  recupera- 
tions,— and  in  others  the  vital  radicles  are  paralyzed  to  an 
extent  even  preclusive  of  spasmodic  and  convulsive  recupe- 
ration. 

Wc  recognize,  therefore,  the  necessity  of  estimating  phi- 
losophically, the  vital  relationship  between  the  pathologized 
organs  and  the  radical  centres  of  innervation; — and  it  should 
be  particularly  noted,  that  the  sentient  extremities  of  the 
nerves  in  the  superficies  of  the  organization,  both  in  an  ex- 
ternal and  internal  sense  considered,  are  invariably  the  re- 
cipients of  salutary  as  well  as  noxious  stimuli.  The  nervous 
power  therefore  regulating  and  governing  the  capillary  cir- 
culation of  the  organization,  externally  and  internally  con- 
sidered, must  inevitably,  in  all  cases,  be  primarily  receptive 
of  noxious  agents.  These  noxious  agents  will  therefore  de- 
press and  congest  the  energies  of  the  organization,  in  a  more 
or  less  deleterious  manner,  according  to  their  greater  or  less 
malignancy  of  composition,  and  the  nature  of  the  vital  affi- 
nity existing  between  the  organic  structures  pathologized, 
and  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles  of  total  vitality.  All  the  de- 
partments of  the  organization,  in  their  severally  necessary 
and  varied  manners,  are  incessantly  operative  in  elaborating 
the  perfection  of  the  radical  centres  of  vitality.  It  is  obvious 
therefore,  that  these  radical  centres  of  innervation  will  in- 
stitute more  or  less  favourable  recuperation,  in  a  manner 
corresponding  with  the  depressions  and  congestions  of  ner- 
vous power,  which  one  or  more  of  their  subordinate  elabo- 
rating agents  may  have  received  from  the  noxious  stimuli. 
The  nervous  centres  govern  therefore  the  total  organization, 
as  well  as  themselves.  As  long  as  the  organization  continues 
in  a  healthy  condition,  they  are  unceasingly  operative  in 
directing  the  salutary  stimuli  supportive  of  vitality,  to  the 
severally  varied  organic  structures,  in  such  portions,  ways, 
and  manners,  as  they  severally  need,  for  the  production  of 
one  beautiful,  harmonious,  whole  system  of  mortal  and  im- 
mortal vitality.  Whenever,  therefore,  they  or  their  subor- 
12 


86 

dinate  agents,  become  pathologlzed  by  morbid  agents,  either 
primarily  or  consecutively,  they  will  institute  more  or  less 
favourable  recuperative  excitations,  according  to  the  degree 
of  diminution  of  the  radical  powers  of  the  organization,  oc- 
casioned by  the  morbid  stimuli. 

Without  further  observations,  therefore,  at  present,  re- 
specting the  modus  operandi  of  noxious  stimuli,  and  their 
depressive  and  congestive  efiects  on  the  nervous  organiza- 
tion, we  may  consider  it  as  intuitively  demonstrated,  that 
the  nervous  centres  will  institute  irritative  inflammatory  or 
febrific  recuperation  in  a  more  or  less  mild  or  violent  man- 
ner, according  as  they  have  been  applied  to  the  production 
of  more  or  less  debility  of  the  central  powers  of  the  organi- 
zation. Or,  as  the  venous  circulation  of  nervous  power, 
commencing  in  every  department  of  the  superficies  of  the 
organization  externally  and  internally  considered,  is  exclu- 
sively recipient,  transmissive  and  distributive,  through  its 
sentient  absorbing  nervous  power,  of  all  the  salutary  stimuli 
from  without,  as  well  as  of  those  elaborated  within  the  or- 
ganization, to  enable  the  nervous  centres  to  institute  and  con- 
tinue the  vital  processes  pertaining  to  respiration,  arterial 
circulation,  secretion  and  excretion,  it  follows  dem.onstrably, 
that  whenever  noxious  stimuli  enter  the  venous  circulation, 
they  will  be  transmitted  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  through 
the  circumference  of  the  organization,  into  the  organic  struc- 
tures of  the  interior,  according  to  the  greater  or  less  strength 
and  vigour  of  action,  exercised  by  the  central  radicles  of 
vitality.  The  venous  system  of  the  nervous  organization  is 
the  exclusive  absorbent  of  all  the  salutary,  and,  (whenever 
they  are  absorbed,)  of  all  the  noxious  stimuli  in  the  physical 
department  of  creation; — and  all  the  nutrient  chylous  and 
lymphatic  matters  elaborated  by  the  organization,  are  ab- 
sorbed through  its  sentient,  venous  nervous  power,  in  the 
capillary  circulation, — the  chylous  fluid  through  the  capillary- 
department  of  the  digestive  apparatus, — and  the  lymphatic 
through  the  capillary  circulation  of  the  dermoid  and  paren- 
chymatous structures  composing  most  parts  of  the  organiza- 
tion,— whether  they  are  elaborated  for  such  absorption,  in 


87 

a  salutary  or  noxious  condition.  The  venous  system  is 
therefore  constantly  operative  in  the  reception  and  con- 
veyance of  all  tlie  salutary  stimuli  from  without  and  with- 
in the  organization,  which  are  required  by  its  central  radi- 
cles, for  incessantly  instituting  the  vivific  operations  of  re- 
spiration, arterial  circulation,  secretion,  &c.  The  veins  are 
the  absorbents  of  stimuli,  and  the  arteries  the  elaborators 
of  them,  to  the  production  and  continuance  of  action,  of  all 
the  variedly  vivifying  apparatus,  pertaining  to  the  organiza- 
tion. The  veins  are  the  passive  and  receptive,  the  arteries 
the  active  and  elaborative  instruments  of  the  organization. 
The  veins  are  the  recipients  and  conveyancers  of  the  vital 
fluids  elaborated  and  perfected  throughout  every  part  of  the 
organization,  by  the  arterial  agency  instituted  by  its  central 
radicles,  and  rendered  operative  throughout  the  organization, 
by  its  principal  agents  of  vivification — the  lungs  and  heart. 
We  thus  open  in  general  terms,  to  palpable  recognition  and 
appreciation,  such  salutary  or  insalutary  physiology  as  the 
organization  may  become  receptive  of,  from  salutary  or 
noxious  stimuli.  This  view  of  the  receptivity  and  elabora- 
tion of  the  stimuli  supportive  of  vitality,  inevitably  arises 
from  the  simple  consideration,  that  man  must  be  a  whole  be- 
ing, through  the  vital  power  inherent  and  operative  in  his 
nervous  organization.  No  view  ever  before  taken  of  man, 
has  recognized  the  philosophical  necessity  of  assigning  to 
his  organization — a  head.  Under  such  recognition  of  true 
philosophy,  it  inevitably  follows,  that  the  cerebro-spinal  ra- 
dicles of  vitality,  when  they,  or  any  one  or  more,  of  their 
subordinate  or  elaborating  agents  are  pathologized,  will  in- 
stitute recuperative  excitations,  in  a  manner  corresponding 
with  the  specifically  depressive  and  congestive  effects,  se- 
quent to  the  reception  of  the  specific  causative  agents.  The 
central  powers  of  the  organization,  being  instantaneously 
percipient  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  originated  by  the  causa- 
tive agents,  institute  recuperative  excitations  in  a  longer  or 
shorter  time  after  their  application,  either  in  the  capillary 
circulation  exclusively,  or  in  both  the  general  and  capillary 
circulations.     Recuperative   excitation   will,    therefore,   be 


88 

raised  in  a  more  or  less  mild,  free,  open,  ardent,  and  favour- 
able sthenic  manner;  or  in  a  more  or  less  feeble,  and  ineffi- 
cient, febrific,  spasmodic  and  convulsive,  asthenic  manner, — 
or  not  at  all, — according  to  the  nature  and  character  of  the 
morbid  sensibilities  to  be  eliminated.  Mild  catarrhal,  diary, 
intermittent,  and  many  other  fevers,  easily,  and  generally, 
without  medication,  eliminate  the  mild  pathological  pheno- 
mena originating  them.  But  when  the  noxious  agents  causa- 
tive of  yellow  and  other  malignant  fevers,  have  invaded  one 
or  more  of  the  important  organic  structures,  as  the  stomach, 
lungs,  heart,  arterial  circulation,  or  the  central  radicles  them- 
selves, either  primarily  or  consecutively,  the  recuperative 
excitations,  in  constitutions  endowed  with  vigorous  resisting 
powers,  will  be  exercised  in  a  much  more  irritable  and  vio- 
lent manner, — because,  the  morbid  sensibilities  to  be  expell- 
ed, are  much  more  destructive  to  vitality  than  those  origi- 
nating the  more  ordinary  species  of  fevers  and  inflamma- 
tions, or  than  those  originating  the  mildest  grades  of  malig- 
nant fevers.  The  violent  and  highly  irritable  manner  in 
which  the  recuperative  excitations  are  manifested,  for  elimi- 
nating many  of  the  morbid  sensibilities,  characterizing  many 
of  the  highest  grades  of  yellow  fevers,  are  palpably  exhibited 
to  philosophic  observation,  when  directed  to  the  states  of 
respiration,  pulsation,  and  other  external  as  well  as  internal 
manifestations  of  recuperation.  The  recuperative  excitations 
are  therefore  always  raised  in  a  more  or  less  irritative  and 
violent  manner,  according  to  the  nature  and  effects  of  the 
noxious  miasmata,  and  the  resisting  powers  of  the  constitu- 
tion. 

But  because  such  highly  concentrated  and  poisonous  mor- 
bid sensibilities  originate  such  highly  irritative  and  ardent 
recuperative  excitations,  in  strong  and  vigorous  constitu- 
tions, it  does  not  follow  that  such  powerful  recuperative  ac- 
tion is  to  be  considered  as  a  continuation  of  the  series  of  the 
primary  or  sympathetic  pathological  phenomena. 

All  causes  being  specifically  different,  produce  their  pecu- 
liar specific  effects;  the  salutary  stimuli,  when  appropriately 
applied  and  distributed  through  the  varied  organic  structures 


89 

of  the  organization,  produce  their  respectively  varied  func- 
tional operations  in  a  salutary  manner  in  salutary  constitu- 
tions;— noxious  agents  produce  their  specifically  didcrcnt 
morbid  sensibilities,  according  to  their  specifically  different 
malignancy  of  composition, — the  predisposition  or  idiosyn- 
crasy of  constitution  receptive  of  them,  and  the  difference  of 
organic  structures  and  functional  operations  of  the  part  or 
parts  invaded  and  pathologizcd  by  them.  These  effects  con- 
sist undeniably,  of  more  or  less  depression  and  congestion  of 
the  nervous  energy  of  the  part  or  parts  primarily  or  sympa- 
thetically receptive  of  them  ; — these  effects  are  the  patholo- 
gical phenomena  to  be  eliminated,  and  cannot  be  considered 
in  any  other  light  consistent  with  true  philosophy,  than 
proximate  causes  inductive  to  the  institution  of  the  recupe- 
rative excitations,  by  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles  of  the  total 
vitality  of  the  organization, — either  in  the  capillary  circula- 
tion exclusively,  or  in  the  general  and  capillary,  both.  The 
resisting  conservative  power  of  nature  will  not  now  be  de- 
nied to  be  incessantly  operative,  both  in  the  healthy  and  dis- 
eased states  of  the  organization,  except  it  be  pathologized 
thoroughly  to  the  extent  of  irrecuperation  ;  and  if  this  re- 
sisting power  be  not  manifested  by  irritations,  inflamma- 
tions, and  fevers,  during  the  pathologized  conditions  of  the 
organization,  it  is  incontrovertibly  not  manifested  by  any 
other  actions  pertaining  to  any  other  organs,  than  those  we 
have  assigned  to  the  production  of  recuperation.  It  is  there- 
fore totally  unphilosophical,  to  consider  fevers  and  inflamma 
tions  in  any  other  light  than  as  salutary  resistances  to  the  mor- 
bid sensibilities  which  operate  as  their  proximate  causes. 

As  therefore  all  noxious  agents,  productive  of  all  diseases, 
as  to  their  essential  qualities  or  properties,  are  very  variously 
different  from,  each  other,  and  the  depressions  and  conges- 
tions of  nervous  energy  sequential  to  their  application,  cor- 
respondently  different  and  various,  and  the  recuperative  ex- 
citations, whenever  raised,  correspondently  different  and  va- 
rious, so  they  are  all  alike  irresolvable  into  their  constituent 
elements; — consequently,  positive  demonstration  can  never 
be  effected  in  medicine: — for  although  all  recuperative exci- 


90 

tations  raised  by  the  conservative  powers,  are  identical  and 
homogeneous  in  the  sense,  that  they  are  all  such  salutary  ac- 
tions as  nature  has  been  capable  of  raising  ; — yet,  as  they  all 
arise  from  different  morbid  sensibilities,  caused  by  different 
morbid  stimuli,  they  must  consequently  be  peculiarly  and 
specifically  different  from  each  other,  in  such  manner  as  to 
preclude  forever,  analysis  to  positively  mathematical  de- 
monstration. But  although  the  medical  aspirants  of  the 
present,  and  all  future  time,  must  relinquish  their  visionary 
speculations,  respecting  the  attainment  of  mathematical  de- 
monstration in  the  science, — yet  an  appropriate  anatomical 
and  physiological  study  of  the  vital  laws,  inherent  and  ope- 
rative, in  and  through  the  varied  organic  structures  of  the 
exclusively  nervous  composition  of  man,  will  enable  them 
to  reach  demonstration  quite  as  satisfactory.  Through  the 
inductive  process  of  ratiocination  arising  from  the  self-evi- 
dent principles  developed  by  our  self-evident  propositions, 
they  will  reach  such  self-evident  intuitive  demonstration,  as 
will  infallibly  direct  them  to  the  attainment  of  all  such  cor- 
rect etiological  and  therapeutical  knowledge,  as  will  enable 
them  most  successfully  to  eliminate  all  the  ills  which  the 
nervous  flesh  and  blood  of  the  organization  of  man  are,  or 
can  ever  be  made,  heir  to.  The  persevering,  unwearied 
study  of  the  varied  functional  operations  pertaining  to  the 
nervous  organization,  and  constituting  one  beautiful,  harmo- 
nious, whole  system  of  mortal  and  immortal  vitality,  opens 
the  only  philosophical  road  to  all  certainty  and  demonstra- 
tion ; and  to  all  the  lasting  honours  and  distinctions  that 

can  be  legitimately  awarded  to  the  investigators  of  the  medi- 
cal sciences. 

We  are  now  prepared  to  understand  the  philosophy  of  all 
the  symptoms  characterizing  all  the  congestive  and  recupe- 
rative conditions  of  the  organization,  not  only  as  they  are  so 
variously  manifested  to  our  observation,  in  yellow,  and  all 
other  malignant  fevers,  but  also  of  all  those  characterizing 
the  more  ordinary  fevers,  arising  from  the  more  ordinary 
morbific  stimuli,  and  all  other  morbid  sensibilities  whatever, 
from  whatsoever  causes  arising,  whatever  part  or  parts  of  the 


91 

organization  invading,  and  however  locally  or  generally  ma- 
nifesting ttiemselves  to  observation. 

We  therefore  proceed  to  a  plain  and  simple  enumeration, 
and  philosophic  explanation,  of  the  most  ordinary  series  of 
the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  characterizing 
yellow  fevers,  more  particularly  as  they  most  ordinarily 
present  themselves  to  our  observation,  when  assumptive  of 
the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation; — by  which  we  shall 
be  enabled  to  recognize  and  appreciate  the  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena  characterizing  the  more  ordinary 
run  of  fevers  arising  from  all  the  more  ordinary  causes.  But 
we  will  first  observe,  that  the  pathological  phenomena  cha- 
racterizing what  have  been  denominated  by  authors  the  pre- 
monitory symptoms  of  fevers,  are  the  phenomena  characteriz- 
ing the  aggregate  eflects,  arising  from  the  remote  causes 
after  they  have  effected  their  entrance  and  location  in  one  or 
more  departments  of  the  organization : — the)'  are  the  real, 
substantial,  and  appreciable  morbid  sensibilities,  occasioned 
by  the  reception  and  ravages  of  the  noxious  stimuli. 

True  philosophy  therefore,  requires  us  to  restrict  the  term 
premonitory  symptoms,  (if  it  be  considered  necessary  to  retain 
it  at  all,)  to  such  symptoms  as  manifest  themselves  previous 
to  the  noxious  agents  thus  effecting  their  entrance  and  fixity 
in  the  system  : — for  such  premonitory  symptoms  are  very 
conspicuously  manifested  to  observation  in  very  many  cases, 
particularly  in  sound  and  vigorous  constitutions,  endowed 
with  strong  powers  of  vital  resistance.  The  premonitory 
symptoms  in  this,  the  only  truly  philosophical  sense,  are  the 
symptoms  characterizing  what  should  be  called,  the  first 
struggle  between  tlie  vital  powers  and  noxious  agents; — but 
the  depressive  and  congestive  effects  of  the  noxious  stimuli, 
after  they  have  effected  their  entrance  and  fixity  in  the  sys- 
tem, and  commenced  the  commission  of  their  ravages,  are 
the  true  pathological  phenomena, — for  the  elimination  of 
which,  the  conservative  powers  institute  inflammatory  or 
febrile  recuperation,  or  both;  constituting  what  should  be 
denominated,  the  secondary  and  ultimate  conflict  between 


92 

the  vital  powers  and  morbid  sensibilities.  During  the  first 
struggle  then  between  the  vital  powers  and  noxious  agents, 
the  true  premonitoiy  symptoms  are  elicited;— which  before 
they  effect  their  entrance  into  the  system,  are  manifested  by 
more  or  less  languor,  head-ache,  weariness,  lassitude, — and 
in  yellow  fevers,  yellowness  of  the  eyes,  more  or  less  sallow- 
ness  of  complexion,  deficiency  of  urinary  and  other  secre- 
tions, impaired  appetite,  costiveness,  &c.; — all  showing  de- 
pression to  considerable  extent,  of  the  nervous  energies  of 
the  system ;  but  not  to  such  extent,  in  many  cases,  as  to 
warrant  their  actual  entrance  and  fixity  in  the  organiza- 
tion ; — for  the  vital  powers  thus  assailed,  are  frequently  ma- 
nifested to  observation,  by  more  or  less  irritative  and  some- 
what increased  actions  of  all  the  circulations,  which  when 
successful,  in  preventing  the  noxious  stimuli  from  actually 
entering  and  fixing  themselves  in  the  system,  eliminate  the 
morbid  sensibilities,  constituting  the  true  premonitory  symp- 
toms, through  the  cutaneous,  intestinal,  and  urinary  emunc- 
tories.  Simple  irritation  is  therefore,  in  many  cases,  suc- 
cessful in  preventing  the  actual  fixity  of  the  noxious  agents, 
by  thus  eliminating  the  slight  depressions  and  congestions 
of  the  vital  energies  constituting  the  true  premonitory  symp- 
toms in  strong,  vigorous,  and  healthy  constitutions: — but  in 
constitutions  weak  by  nature,  or  rendered  so  by  fatigue  and 
exposure  to  exciting  causes,  such  irritation,  as  is  in  such 
cases  raised,  is  in  general  easily  overcome  by  the  noxious 
agents,  which  then  actually  attain  their  entrance  and  fixity 
in  the  system,  and  heighten  and  aggravate  not  only  all  the 
truly  philosophical  premonitory  symptoms,  but  sympatheti- 
cally originate  oftentimes  many  more,  amounting  in  their 
aggregate  to  such  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  ner- 
vous energies  of  the  parts  implicated  in  them,  as  consti- 
tute the  true  pathological  phenomena,  not  premonitory 
symptoms. 

These  pathological  phenomena  are  oftentimes  so  over- 
whelmingly prostrative  of  nervous  power,  as  to  totally  pre- 
clude recuperative  excitations; — but  in  the  general  run  of 


93 

cases,  the  vital  energies  in  yellow  fever  are  paralyzed  be- 
yond tlie  power  of  much  resistance,  perceptible  to  ordinary 
observation,  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time,  until  inflamma- 
tions or  fevers,  or  both,  are  raised  by  them,  for  eliminat- 
ing the  true  pathological  phenomena.  The  depressions  and 
congestions  therefore,  sequent  to  the  fixity  of  the  morbid 
agents,  constitute  the  true  pathological  plienomena,  and 
the  inflammations  and  fevers,  sooner  or  later  succeeding 
them, — the  recuperative  phenomena  instituted  by  the  vis 
conservatrix  naturae,  for  eliminating  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena, or  the  morbid  sensibilities,  from  the  organization. 
This  constitutes  the  second  and  ultimate  struggle  between 
the  vital  powers  and  effects  of  the  noxious  stimuli. 

The  true  premonitory  symptoms  characterizing  the  first 
struggle,  are  generally  so  slight,  as  to  preclude  those  af- 
fected by  them  from  application  for  medical  aid ; — although 
an  appropriate  medication  in  nearly  all  cases,  would  result 
in  complete  triumph  over  the  noxious  stimuli.  The  whole 
practice  therefore  of  successful  medication,  is  in  almost  all 
cases,  made  to  consist  of  such  appropriate  and  philosophical 
remediate  means,  as  may  conduct  tlie  recuperative  excita- 
tions of  the  second  struggle,  to  successful  elimination  of  the 
pathological  phenomena. 

We  have  thus  in  palpable  view,  the  universal  philosophy 
of  medicine,  sanctioned  now  and  forever,  by  the  inevitable 
dictates  of  reason  and  common  sense.  We  have  the  unerring 
certainty  arising  from  intuitive  demonstration,  to  guide  us 
infallibly  to  the  recognition  and  philosophic  appreciation  of 
the  total  pathological  and  recuperative  philosophy,  pertain- 
ing not  only  to  the  disease  now  under  consideration,  but  to 
all  other  morbid  sensibilities  arising  from  all  other  causative 
agents  whatsoever.  We  have  in  palpable  view,  all  the  causes 
which  vary  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena 
arising  from  the  varied  specificity  of  their  causative  agents, 
and  varied  constitutional  idiosyncrasies  and  predispositions- 
Yellow  fevers  therefore,  are  so  pathologically  and  recupera- 
tively  varied,  in  different  situations,  and  even  in  the  same 
13 


94 

situations,  in  the  different  seasons  of  their  prevalence,  that 
their  homogeneity  cannot  be  characterized  but  by  few  mani- 
festations in  common. 

We  have  discussed  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phi- 
losophy pertaining  to  yellow  fever,  as  it   is  most  ordinarily 
characterized,  from  the  invasion  of  the  noxious  miasmata,  to 
the  institution  of  inflammations  or  fevers,  or  both  : — we  have 
discussed  the  philosophy  of  the  first  struggle  between  the 
noxious  agents  and  conservative  powers  of  the  organization: 
have  unfolded  to  plenary  recognition,  the  resisting  recupera- 
tive manifestations  exhibited  by  the  organization  when  vic- 
torious, and  the  pathologized  condition  of  it   from  the  en- 
trance of  the  noxious  agents,  until  the  recuperative  energies 
have  emerged  from  their  oppression,  and  instituted  such  re- 
action as  constitutes  the  second  and   ultimate  struggle  be- 
tween the  causative  agents  and   conservative  powers,  in  all 
the  highest  grades  of  this  disease.     We  are  prepared  there- 
fore for  discussing  the  phenomena  characterizing  this  event- 
ful and  ultimate  struggle,  as  they  are  most  ordinarily  pre- 
sented to  our  observation,  in  the  most  ordinarily  and  regu- 
larly formed  epidemics.     According  then  to  the   nature  of 
the  causes,  and  the  conditions  of  the  constitutions  receptive 
of  them,  epidemic  yellow  fevers  will   be  characterized  by 
pathological  phenomena,   sooner   or  later  succeeded,  (if  at 
all,)  by  recuperative  excitations,  manifesting  a  more  or  less 
sthenic,  or  asthenic  diathesis.   When  manifested  by  a  highly 
stimulant  diathesis,  in  strong  and  vigorous  constitutions,  the 
nervous  centres  will  institute  in   the  complex  apparatus  of 
respiration,  such  energetic  action,  as  the  pathologized  condi- 
tion of  the  organization  will  enable  them  to  raise;  and  in 
the  arterial  circulations  a  correspondently  full,  strong,  rapid, 
energetic  action.      Whenever  these  two  principal  agents  of 
the  innervating  centres  are  rendered   assumptive   of  such 
sthenic    recuperation   by   the  pathological  phenomena,  the 
cerebral  centre  of  the  organization  will  be  affected  with  ex- 
cessive pain, — the  eyes  will  be  intensely  red,  painful,  and 
intolerant  of  light,  and  the  minute  vessels  of  their  mem- 


95 

branes  saturated  with  blood  ;  which,  together  with  the  mem- 
branous interstices,  will  oftentimes  exhibit  a  more  or  less 
dirty,  dusky,  yellowness  of  complexion,  according  to  the 
greater  or  less  resistance  remaining  in  the  absorbent  depart- 
ment of  the  organization,  to  the  reception  of  the  bilious  se- 
cretion which  had  been  rendered  more  or  less  putrid  by  the 
malignant  action  of  the  noxious  miasmata,  previous  to  the 
recuperative  institution  for  the  ultimate  struggle  which  we 
are  now  describing  : — for  it  must  be  observed  and  particu- 
larly noted,  that  the  noxious  stimuli  in  many  cases  strike  the 
organization  at  once,  to  the  paralytic  extent  of  irrecupera- 
tion,  and  to  the  consequent  prevention  of  absorption  and 
suspension  of  secretion; — in  which  cases  the  eyes  will  be 
characterized  by  such  lack-lustre  symptoms,  as  correspond 
with  the  stagnant,  powerless  condition  of  the  total  organiza- 
tion. But  in  all  cases,  not  thus  absolutely  irrecuperative, 
this  putridity  of  the  bile,  and  its  diflTusion  throughout  the  or- 
ganization, whenever  the  hepatic  region  is  highly  patholo- 
gized  by  the  noxious  miasmata,  will  be  exhibited  to  observa- 
tion in  degrees  corresponding  with  the  malignant  nature  and 
action  of  the  noxious  miasmata,  previous  to  the  institution  of 
recuperative  excitations ;  and  after  these  recuperative  exci- 
tations arc  raised,  if  they  are  successful,  or  rendered  so  by 
appropriate  medication,  in  eliminating  the  morbid  sensi- 
bilities;— resistance  to  such  bilious  absorption  and  diffusion 
will  be  effectively  established  : — but  if  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena should  pursue  their  ravaging  course  without  much 
impediment  from  recuperation  or  medication,  the  bile  will 
become  more  and  more  putrid,  and  more  and  more  diffused, 
&c.,  for  reasons  obvious  to  the  medical  philosopher, — who, 
from  this  short  explanation  of  the  modus  operandi  of  the 
miasmata  on  the  liver,  will  correctly  estimate  the  character 
of  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  whenever 
the  miasmata  fix  themselves  in  other  important  organs. 
There  is  no  end  to  explanation,  to  inevitable  conviction — but 
we  cannot  pursue  it  further  at  the  present  time,  than  to  ob- 
serve, that  noxious  stimuli  may  effect  their  entrance  into 


96 


in- 


the  organization,  through  any  portion  of  its  external  or 
ternal  periphery,  most  debilitated  and  predisposed  to  their 
reception.  The  operations  of  the  noxious  agents  therefore, 
both  primarily  and  consecutively  considered,  whether  in  the 
nervous  centres,  or  their  subordinate  agents,  will  be  cor- 
rectly estimated  by  the  medical  philosopher,  through  the 
symptomatology  pertaining  to  each  specific  case  of  disease 
presented  to  him  for  consideration,  and  he  will  readily  under- 
stand the  causes  of  the  immense  variety  of  morbid  and  recu- 
perative phenomena  pertaining  to  yellow  fevers  and  other 
pestilences. — The  frontal  and  occipital  departments  of  the 
cerebral  centre  will  be  affected  with  intense  pain,  face  ar- 
dently flushed,  and  the  total  superficies  of  the  organization 
externally  and  internally  assumptive  of  the  painful  sensations 
arising  from  intense,  mordicant,  parching  heat,  dryness  and 
ardent  insatiable  thirst.  During  the  continuance  of  this  ar- 
dent conflict  between  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phe- 
nomena, until  the  latter  yield  to  the  former  or  the  former  to 
the  latter,  the  tongue  will  be  either  slightly  coated  with  light- 
coloured  mucus,  or  entirely  clean,  and  inflammatorily  red- 
dened, evincing  that  the  pathological  phenomena  have  not 
only  operated  to  the  depravement  and  diminution,  but  in 
many  cases  to  the  total  suspension  of  action,  of  the  secretory 
apparatus  of  the  organization,  and  a  correspondent  diminu- 
tion or  suspension  of  the  excretory  departments,  as  evinced 
by  constipation,  paucity  of  high-coloured  urine,  or  none  at 
all,  diminution  of  perspiration,  or  none  at  all,  &c. 

The  cervical,  dorsal,  and  lumbar  regions,  and  the  thoracic, 
abdom.inal,  and  extreme  departm.ents  of  the  organization 
principally  supplied  by  them  with  nervous  power,  will  all 
be  aftected  with  excruciating  pain,  and  the  epigastric  region 
in  particular  will  be  afflicted  with  the  most  concentratedly 
oppressive,  and  ardently  painful  sensations,  evincing  unde- 
niably, that  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles  of  the  total  innerva- 
tion of  the  organization,  are  deeply  pathologized  by  the 
causative  agents,  and  that  the  whole  of  the  vital  or  conser- 
vative powers  remaining  operative,  are  so  ardently  and  en- 


97 

ergetically  exerted,  as  to  cither  nearly,  and  in  very  many 
cases,  far  transcend  the  powers  of  secretion  and  excretion. 

We  have  thus  enumerated  the  more  ordinary  symptoms 
characterizing  the  more  ordinary  cases  of  yellow  fever,  in 
constitutions  assumptive  of  the  ardent  sthenic  diathesis  of 
recuperation,  for  ten,  twelve,  or  fifteen  hours,  during  the 
incipient  period  of  reaction.  And  it  is  therefore  now  to  be 
observed,  that  if  these  symptoms  be  not  promptly  subdued, 
and  lowered  to  the  secreting  and  excreting  standard  of  elimi- 
nation, by  appropriate  antiphlogistic  medication  ; — they  will 
all  be  rapidly  increased  and  aggravated,  to  a  concentratedly 
woeful  and  distressing  extent; — and  the  victory  will  be  in- 
sured to  the  pathological  phenomena  in  a  very  few  hours,  by 
their  increasing  in  an  aggravated  degree,  precordial  anxiety, 
and  oppression,  to  such  extent,  as  to  occasion  frequent  and 
excessively  painful  vom.iting,  of  whatever  drinks  may  have 
been  received  into  the  stomach; — and  in  many  cases  large 
quantities  of  highly  vitiated  and  putrid  bile,  the  product  of 
previous  secretion,  will  be  ejected  from  it,  frequently  so 
acrid  and  acid,  as  to  excoriate  the  oesophagus,  fauces,  and 
lips,  during  its  ejection.  The  patient  is  now  tortured  with 
ardent  burning  sensations  in  the  interior  of  the  stomach  and 
adjacent  regions;  and  the  surface  of  the  epigastric  region  is 
excessively  hot,  and  so  exquisitely  tender,  that  the  extremes! 
pain  results  from  the  slightest  pressure  of  it.  Anxiety  and 
oppression,  indeed,  increase  so  rapidly,  and  to  such  suffo- 
cating extent,  as  to  cause  frequent  and  deeply  painful  labo- 
rious sighing,  and  restlessness  and  jactitation  in  the  ex- 
treme ; — and  the  countenance  of  the  sufferer  is  rendered  in- 
dicative altogether  of  such  concentratedly  aggravated  dis- 
tress, tiiat  it  cannot  better  be  described  than  to  say,  that  it 
exhibits  a  complete  picture  of  despair,  accompanied  often  by 
such  a  species  of  wild,  erratic,  maniacal  delirium,  as  amounts 
to  utter  hopelessness,  or  rather  reckless  abandonment  in  the 
sufferer,  of  all  desire  for  the  continuance  of  life.  The  patho- 
logical are  now  rapidly  overpowering  the  recuperative  phe- 
nomena, as  evidenced  by  the  powers  of  deglutition  being 


98 

impaired,  weakened,  and  exerted  spasmodically;  and  by  the 
vomitings  becoming  more  and  more  frequent,  involuntary, 
and  spasmodic; — by  the  sufferer  in  many  cases  loudly  com- 
plaining of  hunger,  and  calling  earnestly  for  singular  articles 
of  food  to  relieve  it ; — and  in  all  cases,  for  the  coldest  drinks, 
to  relieve  his  insatiable,  aggravatedly  increasing,  and  tortur- 
ingly  burning  thirst; — and  by  the  lower  extremities,  pre- 
viously tormented  with  such  excruciating  pain,  that  they 
were  frequently  retracted  to,  and  pressed  upon,  the  equally 
pained  umbilical  region,  for  their  mutual  relief, — now  be- 
coming more  or  less  torpid  and  paralytic; — all  evincing  de- 
monstrably, that  the  fatal  conflict  approaches  its  termination 
in  the  dissolution  of  the  total  energies  of  the  organization. 
For  it  is  self-evident  that  such  violent  contention  between 
the  recuperative  and  pathological  phenomena,  without  the 
interposition  of  appropriately  philosophic  medication,  cannot 
long  be  maintained,  without  producing  such  disorganizing 
wreck  of  the  organization  as  to  lay  the  foundation  for  its 
rapid  dissolution,  and  the  prevention  of  any  future  reaction, 
that  can  be  philosophically  considered  in  the  light  of  effective 
recuperation,  or  that  can  be  considered  as  affording  any  pros- 
pect of  success  to  the  most  appropriate  medication.  The 
sufferer  thus  afflicted,  is  therefore  to  be  considered,  as  having 
received  his  death-blow.  The  recuperative  excitations  in 
sucli  cases,  are  expended  to  all  effective  extent  and  purposes 
whatsoever.  In  from  twenty-four  to  thirty-six,  or  a  few 
more  hours,  the  work  of  destruction  is  completed,  and  the 
paroxysm  is  over,  to  return  no  more — forever.  All  such 
aggravatedly  violent  contentions  between  the  pathological 
and  recuperative  phenomena  without  appropriate  medication, 
have  but  one  paroxysm — but  one  effective  combat — termi- 
nating in  inevitable  destruction — if  not  averted  by  such  phi- 
losophic medication  as  will  be  put  in  thorough  requisition 
exclusively  by  the  talented  and  experienced  practitioner, 
conversant  with  this  malignant  pestilence.  The  recuperative 
powers  during  this  contention,  have  been  exerted  to  their 
utmost  intensity  of  operation,  and  have  thus  rapidly  run 


99 

down,  and  yielded  to  the  ravages  of  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena. The  general  circulations  are  weakened  and  lowered 
down  to,  and  generally  much  helow  their  natural  standard, 
as  to  frequency  and  strength  of  pulsation,  and  the  capillary 
circulations  are  weakened  and  paralyzed  to  such  degree,  that 
a  spontaneous  exudation  of  perspirahle  matter  in  many  cases 
occurs,  from  loss  of  tone  ; — and  in  all  cases,  the  skin  becomes 
much  moister  and  cooler  than  natural,  and  its  vascular  ner- 
vous organization  enervated,  and  toneless,  beyond  reparation 
by  nature  or  art.  After  a  storm  comes  a  calm.  But  this  is 
a  deceitful  calm  to  the  sufferer,  and  ominous  to  the  philoso- 
phic physician,  of  speedy  destruction.  This  state  of  irreco- 
verable prostration  is  very  inappropriately  and  unphiloso- 
phically  denom.inated  by  authors  a  remission; — a  remission 
of  what  ? — not  of  the  ravages  of  the  pathological  phenomena, 
as  authors  consider  it.  The  recuperative  energies  of  the  or- 
ganization, vve  grant,  have  remitted, — to  rise  no  more; — for 
the  system  is  in  a  state  of  prostration,  unequivocally  demon- 
strative of  rapid  total  dissolution  of  the  vital  energies  of  the 
highly  important  vital  organs,  implicated  in  the  pathological 
phenomena, — and  of  the  consequent  irrecoverable  torpitude 
of  its  radical  sensorial  energies.  For  although  during  this 
woeful  collapse  of  the  vital  energies,  the  intellectual  faculties 
may  brighten  up  a  little,  for  a  short  time,  and  sometimes  de- 
lude the  sufferer  with  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  recovery, — 
yet  he  is  much  oftener  entirely  tranquil,  carelessly  indiffer- 
ent, or  stupidly  unconcerned,  about  his  present  or  future 
situation ; — and  though  during  this  calm,  or  remission,  as  it 
is  so  unphilosophically  called,  nausea  and  vomiting,  not  only 
continue,  but  increase  rapidly  in  frequency  and  severity, — 
yet  the  sufferer  is  perfectly  regardless  of,  and  indifferent  to 
it.  There  is,  therefore,  no  such  condition  of  the  vital  ener- 
gies of  the  organization  when  thus  deeply  pathologized,  to 
philosophically  justif}'  authors  in  considering  it,  as  evidencing 
a  remission  of  the  ravages  of  the  morbid  agents.  The  enemy 
has  conquered,  but  is  pursuing  his  ravages  more  extensively 
and  efficiently  than  he  did  before  vanquishing  the  recupera- 


100 

tive  phenomena ; — for  although  the  sufferer  be  now  either  in 
such  a  state  of  indifference  and  tranquillity  as  already  ob- 
served, and  in  some  few  cases  may  flatter  himself  that  all 
danger  is  past,  yet,  it  must  be  observed,  that  the  sickness 
and  vomiting  during  this  ominous  calm  are  not  only  conti- 
nued, but  aggravatedly  increased ; — proving  to  all  satisfac- 
tory intuitive  demonstration,  that  the  recuperative  powers 
have  more  than  remitted  or  intermitted ; — and  proving,  that 
the  causative  agents  are  rapidly  running  the  organization  to 
its  total  dissolution; — proving  that  the  recuperative  excita- 
tions have  therefore  ceased  or  nearly  so  ; — proving  that,  in 
all  the  highest  grades  of  this  malady,  characterized  by  such 
ardent  recuperative  manifestations  as  above  mentioned,  they 
are  never  afterwards  reinstituted,  in  such  recognizable  and 
appreciable  operativeness,  as  to  be  philosophically  entitled,  a 
second  recuperative  paroxysm.  For  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena are  gnawing  their  way  unimpeded  by  any  available 
recuperative  excitations,  straight  onward  to  destruction,  by 
increasing  the  pain  and  burning  sensations  in  the  stomach 
and  adjacent  regions  to  the  production  of  the  most  distress- 
ing vomiting,  in  a  few  hours,  of  the  putrefied  products  of 
their  ravages; — and  to  the  diffusion  of  putrid  bile  through- 
out the  organization,  in  consequence  of  its  having  lost  all, 
or  nearly  all,  its  power  of  resistance  to  the  reception  and 
transmission  of  the  poisonous  stimuli,  and  to  the  reception 
and  transmission  of  the  vitiated  secretions,  particularly  since 
the  intermission  of  recuperative  excitation.  And  here  it 
should  be  remarked,  and  appropriately  noted,  that  although 
the  bilious  or  other  secretions  which  were  absorbed  into  the 
circulations  during  the  collapsed  state  of  the  organization, 
occasioned  by  the  noxious  agents  previous  to  the  establish- 
ment of  recuperative  excitation  or  reaction,  were  vitiated  to 
very  considerable  extent, — yet  we  now  find  them  to  have  be- 
come so  in  a  much  higher  and  more  corrupted  degree,  since 
the  recuperative  powers  yielded  the  victory  to  the  noxious 
agents,  and  suffered  them  to  rankle  in  the  organization  un- 
checked ; — as  is  satisfactorily  evidenced  by  the  total  superfi- 


101  ' 

cies  of  the  organization  becoming  assumptive  of  a  more  and 
more  dark,  or  livid,  or  mahogany  colour,  in  all  cases  in 
which  the  hepatic  region  from  the  commencement  has  been 
radically  implicated  in  the  pathological  phenomena.  Are 
there  any  phenomena  separate  from  the  pathological,  now  to 
be  observed  in  this  stage,  as  it  is  called  by  authors,  that  can 
be  philosophically  considered  as  recuperative  excitations 
amounting  to  another  paroxysm  ?  The  answer  is  undeniably 
obvious,  when  it  is  considered  that  the  total  resistance  shown 
by  the  conservative  powers  still  remaining  in  such  deplora- 
ble cases,  consists  in  an  increased  desire  for  the  coldest 
drinks  to  allay  the  raging  burning  thirst; — or  if  any  recupe- 
rative excitation  at  all  be  manifested  in  respiration  or  arte- 
rial circulation,  it  is  of  the  feeblest  and  most  inefficient 
kind,  and  philosophically  considered,  amounting  to  none  at 
all.  The  organization  is,  therefore,  now  to  be  considered 
as  pathologized  to  the  point  of  saturation  ; — the  noxious  mias- 
mata have  undisputed  possession  of  it,  and  pursue  their  fes- 
tering ravages  without  any  available  recuperative  interrup- 
tion. The  drinks  now  taken  into,  are  instantly  ejected  from 
the  stomach,  and  found  to  be  mixed  with  minute  flakes  or 
flocculi,  as  authors  say,  and  with  truth,  resembling  the  crusts 
washed  from  port-wine  bottles.  All  the  phenomena  effec- 
tively considered,  are  now  pathological,  and  rush  onward  to 
the  extinction  of  total  vitality,  by  weakening  and  lowering 
still  more  and  more,  the  arterial  circulation,  and  totally  ex- 
tinguishing the  capillary; — furring  the  tongue  with  dark 
brown  or  black  sordes; — increasing  the  vomitings  of  the 
sphacelated  products  of  the  stomach  and  adjacent  regions, 
becom.ing  more  and  more  dark,  and  more  viscid,  resembling 
coffee  grounds  suspended  in  viscid  mucus,  or  albumen, — by 
weakening  and  depraving  the  sensibility  of  the  extremities 
of  the  organization,  rendering  them  more  and  more  cold  and 
glutinous,  or  arid,  and  totally  toneless — by  increasing  the 
acrid  and  burning  sensations  in  the  stomach,  and  rendering 
the  vomitings  more  and  more  tormenting  and  distressing — 
by  weakening  the  intestinal  region  of  vitality,  to  the  produc- 
14 


102 

lion  of  a  colliquative,  corrupted,  black  and  pasty,  diarrhoea — 
evincing  that  the  thorough  dissolution  of  the  vital  energies 
is  rapidly  approaching,  by  the  discharges  becoming  more 
and  more  dark  and  green,  or  black  and  viscid,  like  tar; — 
overwhelming  the  vital  powers  to  such  concentrated  degree 
of  depression,  that  the  discharges  either  run  through  the 
alimentary  canal,  as  through  a  tube,  involuntarily,  or  are 
precluded  from  being  discharged  at  all,  by  paralysis  of  the 
excretory  agents  of  the  organization.  The  putridity  of  the 
whole  organization,  as  well  external  as  internal,  is  now  more 
and  more  palpably  manifested,  by  the  surface  assuming  a 
more  and  more  dirty  dark  yellowness,  or  a  lutulently  livid, 
or  dusky  mahogany  coloured  appearance.  The  catastrophe 
now  near  at  hand,  Is  characterized  by  frequent  hiccoughings, 
and  profuse  haemorrhages  of  dissolved  blood  from  many  or  all 
the  internal  and  external  em.unctories. 

Notwithstanding  the  pathological  phenomena  have  thus 
effected  such  overwhelming  and  extensive  ravages  through- 
out the  total  organization,  as  betokens  positive  and  speedy 
destruction,  yet,  as  long  as  any  vitality  remains,  the  recu- 
perative excitations  may  still  be  frequently  manifested  to 
philosophic  observation,  in  raising  a  wild  maniacal  convul- 
sive species  of  delirium,  succeeded  by  deep  coma  and  in- 
sensibility; and  total  vitality  is  not  surrendered  even  after 
this,  in  many  cases,  until  the  recuperative  excitations  have 
had  time  to  rally  themselves,  and  raise  universal  spasms  and 
convulsions,  which  terminate  the  combat  by  yielding  the 
victory  to  the  poisonous  operations  of  the  morbific  agents. 
The  more  grossly  corporeal  departments  of  the  organization 
have  thus  passed  to  the  uncontrolled  dominion  of  physical 
laws; — but  the  intellectual,  immortal  department  of  the  or- 
ganization of  man  is  not  subject  to  such  dominion,  but  as- 
cendeth  to  the  ethereal  dominions  appointed  for  him  by  his 
Creator. 

Can  philosophy  recognize  in  this  uninterrupted  march  to 
destruction  of  the  body  here  in  time,  any  paroxysmal  divisi- 
bility? There  is  but  one  paroxysm  in  all  the  highest  grades 


108 

of  yellow  fever,  and  all  other  malignant  fevers,  as  they  are 
called,  characterized  by  equally  malignant  and  ravaging  pa- 
thological phenomena,  and  intensity  of  recuperative  mani- 
festation. We  thus  understand  the  modus  operandi  of  the 
noxious  miasmata  in  originating  the  pathological  phenomena 
characterizing  epidemic  yellow  fevers  as  they  most  ordina- 
rily manifest  themselves  to  our  observation ;  and  the  recu- 
perative excitations  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  for 
their  expulsion  from  the  organization.  The  practice  of  the 
science  of  medicine  should  be  the  practice  of  its  philosophy; 
and  we  have  fully  developed,  to  the  inevitable  recognition 
and  appreciation  of  every  intelligent  and  judicious  practi- 
tioner, such  philosophy,  as  should  be  put  in  thorough  requi- 
sition for  the  successful  treatment,  not  only  of  yellow  fevers 
when  assumptive  of  the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation,  but 
of  all  other  maladiesfrom  whatsoever  causes  arising,  assump- 
tive of  similar  recuperative  excitations,  from  the  primary  in- 
vasion of  the  causative  agents,  to  the  termination  of  the  ulti- 
mate conflict,  between  the  recuperative  and  pathological  phe- 
nomena. The  philosophy  of  successfully  medicating  every 
grade  of  disease  assumptive  of  sthenic  recuperation,  from  the 
mildest  to  the  highest  grades,  is  now  so  plainly  manifested, 
that  it  must  inevitably  meet  the  unqualified  approbation  of 
every  experienced  and  scientific  practitioner. 

But  many  yellow  fever  epidemics  are  not  characterized 
by  such  intensely  ardent  recuperative  manifestations  as  above 
enumerated  : — they  arise  from  causes  much  more  highly 
matured,  and  more  malignant  in  their  composition; — conse- 
quently are  productive  of  more  concentratedly  malignant 
pathological  phenomena,  which  overwhelm  the  vital  ener- 
gies of  the  organization,  in  many  cases,  to  the  total  preclu- 
sion of  any  recuperative  excitations  at  all;  and  sometimes 
work  their  way  to  the  total  destruction  of  vitality  almost  in- 
stantaneously ;  and  oftentimes  in  a  very  few  hours.  In  some 
instances,  the  pathological  phenomena  are  succeeded  imme- 
diately on  the  introduction  of  the  noxious  agents  into  the 
organization,  by  a  wild,  furious,  maniacal,  delirious,  recupe- 


104 

rative  manifestation,  yielding  the  victory  to  the  pathological 
phenomena,  either  by  terminating  rapidly  in  complete  coma, 
insensibility,  and  death,  or  by  again  rallying  all  their  remain- 
ing recuperative  energies,  in  the  excitation  of  spasms  and 
convulsions,  which  end  the  patient's  corporeal  sufferings, 
release  him  from  earth,  and  pass  him  to  immortality. 

There  are  many  such  cases  to  be  seen  and  witnessed  in 
all  epidemic  yellow  fevers,  when  thus  intensely  malignant ; 
and  there  are  many  cases  in  which  the  noxious  agents  are 
philosophically  recognized  in  gnawing  and  festering  their 
way  to  the  dissolution  of  the  organization,  in  such  insidious 
manner,  that  neither  the  patient,  or  his  friends,  consider  him 
as  labouring  under  any  morbid  sensibility  at  all.  Are  not 
such  cases,  and  a  vast  variety  of  others,  characterized  by 
symptoms  equally  anomalous,  which  might  be  recognized 
and  mentioned  by  philosophic  practitioners  conversant  with 
yellow  fevers,  conclusively  demonstrative  of  the  salutary 
operations  of  fevers  and  inflammations?  When  it  is  recol- 
lected, that  such  cases  inevitably  run  rapidly  to  dissolution, 
unless  they  can  be  medicated  to  the  production  of  fevers  and 
inflammations,  that  under  appropriate  medication,  may  be 
conducted  to  the  successful  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensi- 
bilities, through  their  legitimate  outlets?  And  it  should  be 
particularly  recollected,  (as  it  will  be  by  all  talented  and  ex- 
perienced practitioners,)  that  the  recuperative  excitations — 
the  fevers  and  inflammations  which  are  sometimes  raised  by 
the  conservative  powers  in  these  intensely  malignant  epi- 
demics, are  weak,  feeble,  and  totally  inefficient  to  the  pro- 
duction of  successful  elimination,  unless  by  appropriate  me- 
dication, they  should  be  strengthened  and  regulated  to  the 
excitation  of  such  salutary  secretions  and  critical  evacuations 
from  more  or  less  of  the  excretory  departments  of  the  orga- 
nization, as  may  prove  effectively  eliminative  of  the  morbid 
sensibilities. 

It  is  also  to  be  particularly  noted,  that  yellow  fevers  at- 
tended with  ardent  recuperative  excitations, — with  ardent 
fevers  and  inflammations,  are  much  more  easily  conducted 


105 

to  successful  elimination,  than  such  as  are  characterized  by 
weak  and  feeble  recuperation. 

The  noxious  miasmata  productive  of  the  morbid  sensil)ill- 
ties  which  are  succeeded  by  the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recupe- 
ration, are  not  only  less  malignant  in  their  composition  and 
operations, — but  the  constitutions  receptive  of  them  stronger 
and  more  vigorous, — and  therefore,  capable  of  raising  much 
more  salutary  and  efficient  reaction,  than  such  as  are  more 
malignant  in  their  composition,  and  operating  on  constitu- 
tions more  debilitated,  and  consequently  incapable  of  raising 
such  efficient  recuperative  excitations. 

The  history  of  different  epidemic  yellow  fevers  will  con- 
clusively prove  this,  and  all  the  propositions  we  have  ad- 
vanced respecting  them,  beyond  contradiction;  and  the  exa- 
mination of  all  other  fevers  from  whatsoever  causes  originat- 
ing, will  inevitably  result  in  the  confirmation  of  the  philoso- 
phy, which  we  have  deduced  from  the  partial  analysis,  which 
we  have  thus  far  made  of  yellow  fever.  We  say  partial  ana- 
lysis, because,  as  our  object  in  the  present  work  is  exclu- 
sively to  exhibit  tlie  outlines  of  the  philosophy  of  medicine 
arising  from  our  self-evident  propositions,  to  such  talented 
and  experienced  members  of  our  profession  as  are  alone  ca- 
pable of  recognizing  and  appreciating  them;  we  have  consi- 
dered it  unnecessary  to  present  to  their  consideration  in  de- 
tail, all  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  charac- 
terizing this  malady  in  all  its  different  grades,  from  the  mild- 
est to  the  highest  cases,  either  as  they  are  more  or  less  as- 
sumptive of  the  sthenic,  or  asthenic  diathesis,  of  recupera- 
tion. For  such  practitioners  from  the  partial  exposition  we 
have  made  of  the  more  prominent  pathological  and  recupe- 
rative phenomena  characterizing  the  highest  grades  of  yel- 
low fever,  when  assumptive  of  the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recu- 
peration, and  from  the  philosophical  explanation  which  we 
have  bestowed  on  them,  will  readily  appreciate  all  the  varia- 
tions and  modifications  to  which  they  are,  or  may  be  subject, 
aetiologically,  and  consequently,  recuperatively  considered. 

It  is  not  to  closeted  writers,  but  to  those  talented  and  ex- 


106 

perieneed  physicans  more  particularly  in  southern  climates, 
who  have  during  a  succession  of  many  years,  witnessed  epi- 
demic yellow  fevers,  not  only  in  similar,  but  different  loca- 
lities, that  application  should  be  made  for  such  philosophy 
as  not  only  characterizes  them  in  a  general  sense  considered, 
during  the  different  seasons  of  their  prevalence,  but  also  for 
such  as  characterizes  them  so  variously  during  the  different 
seasons,  in  similar  and  dissimilar  localities,  aetiologically, 
pathologically,  and  recuperatively  considered.  Such  prac- 
titioners, who  have  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  witnessed  the 
immense  variety  of  Protean  manifestations  assumed  by  the 
pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena, — will  impart  to 
us,  not  only  the  general  philosophy  of  all  the  more  ordinary 
and  regular  phenomena,  but  of  that  pertaining  to  the  anoma- 
lous and  Protean  deviations,  and  thereby  enable  us  to  insti- 
tute such  correspondently  varied  therapeutical  indications,  as 
may  be  required,  to  direct  us  to  the  most  appropriate  and 
successful  medication.  The  want  of  such  philosopiiy  is  most 
conspicuously  apparent  in  all  the  treatises  heretofore  written 
on  yellow  fever.  They  all  recognize  in  this,  as  in  all  other 
fevers,  as  they  call  them,  a  greater  or  lesser  number  of  what 
may  be  appropriately  denominated  metaphysical  entities, 
directly  and  exclusively  calculated  to  preclude  all  philoso- 
phical investigations  and  reasonings  concerning  them,  not 
only  in  the  younger  members  of  the  profession,  but  too  often 
in  the  elder  and  more  experienced.  A  thorough  philosophic 
history  therefore  of  epidemic  yellow  fevers,  as  they  are  cha- 
racterized during  a  succession  of  years,  in  the  different  re- 
gions of  the  earth,  where  they  do  usually,  or  may  occasion- 
ally occur,  embracing  determinate  investigations  and  satis- 
factory explanations,  not  only  of  their  more  general,  but  of 
the  complicatedly  varied  modifications  pertaining  to  the  ma- 
lignant composition  of  the  noxious  miasmata,  and  the  corres- 
pondently varied  pathological  phenomena  occasioned  by 
them, — together  with  the  correspondently  varied  recupera- 
tive phenomena  excited  by  the  conservative  powers,  agree- 
ably to  the  equally  varied  powers  of  vital  resistances,  mani- 


107 

fested  during  the  ravages  of  the  pathological  phenomena 
originated  by  the  noxious  miasmata,  from  their  primary  in- 
vasion of  the  organization,  until  they  have  completed  their 
work  of  destruction,  or  been  eliminated  from  it  by  appro- 
priate medication;  and  more  particularly,  embracing  an  ap- 
propriately philosophic  explanation  of  the  singularly  varied 
anomalous  phenomena,  evinced  both  by  the  pathological  and 
recuperative  manifestations,  in  a  great  variety  of  anomalous 
cases  occurring  during  the  different  epidemics, — would  be  a 
desideratum  in  our  medical  literature — if  such  history  were 
made  in  correspondence  with  true  philosophy: — because,  it 
would  be  plcnarily  rich  in  such  philosophic  instruction,  as 
would  be  beneficially  operative,  not  only  in  enabling  the  ju- 
nior members  of  the  profession  to  institute  more  scientific 
therapeutical  indications  for  the  treatment  of  this,  but  of  all 
other  morbid  sensibilities,  which  have  been  denominated  fe- 
brile by  the  nosologists. 

As  we  are  not  in  possession  of  any  such  thorough  histori- 
cal analysis  of  epidemic  yellow  fevers,  we  shall  make  a  few 
more  general  observations  respecting  them,  for  the  purpose 
of  presenting  more  fully  to  the  consideration  of  the  profes- 
sion, the  philosophy  of  the  causes,  which  so  variously  cha- 
racterize them  during  the  different  seasons  of  their  preva- 
lence. We  observe  then,  that  this  disease,  occupying  as  be- 
fore said,  the  very  front  rank  amidst  the  immensely  varied 
bilious  fever  phenomena,  incidental  more  particularly  to  the 
southern  regions  of  our  hemisphere,  when  epidemic  from 
the  highest  concentration  of  causes,  usurps  complete  domi- 
nion over  all  other  diseases,  and  rules  with  despotic  sway 
to  their  utter  exclusion.  The  atmosphere  of  the  infected 
region  is  so  supersaturated  with  the  poisonous  miasmata 
that  the  development  of  febrifie  recuperation  from  any  other 
than  the  reigning  cause,  is  totally  precluded;  and  however 
mildly  characterized,  or  easily  cured  many  of  the  cases  may 
be,  they  will  be  found  assumptive  of  the  diagnostic  manifes- 
tations pertaining  to  the  reigning  epidemic. 

To  this  rule  of  morbid  action  pertaining  to  the  noxious 


108 

miasmata  originating  epidemic  yellow  fevers  of  highest  con- 
centration, there  is  no  exception  to  be  observed,  as  long  as 
the  atmosphere  continues  to  be  saturated  to  such  productive 
extent.  No  other  agent  of  minor  malignancy  of  composi- 
tion, can  become  productive  of  its  specific  pathological  phe- 
nomena within  such  infected  region.  This  pestilence,  wher- 
ever it  has  occurred  in  its  highest  state  of  malignancy,  has 
sustained  the  mastery  over  all  other  noxious  agents  what- 
ever, except  during  its  late  prevalence  in  New  Orleans, 
where,  although  it  was  originated  by  its  specific  noxious 
stimuli,  in  their  highest  state  of  concentration,  to  the  pro- 
duction of  such  overwhelming  pathological  phenomena,  as 
totally  precluded  the  conservative  powers  from  instituting 
any  other  than  the  feeblest  and  most  unavailing  asthenic  re- 
cuperation, or  spasmodic  and  convulsive, — ^or  none  at  all; — 
yet  the  more  subtile  and  penetrating,  malignant  and  delete- 
rious choleric  miasm,  suddenly  entered  the  city,  and  attained 
its  appropriate  fixity  in  the  atmosphere,  by  instantaneously 
supplanting  the  epidemic  miasmata  then  prevailing,  and  by 
as  instantaneously  commencing  and  continuing  its  own  ra- 
vages fully  to  the  extent  of  Indian  destructiveness,  until  it 
was  in  its  turn  supplanted  by  the  still  more  subtle  and  pene- 
trating, but  salutary  and  purifying  stimulus  of  electricity. 
A  philosophic  history  of  the  heterogeneously  pestilential  at- 
mospheric vitiation,  which  ensued  in  the  city  of  New  Or- 
leans on  the  introduction  of  the  choleric  miasmata, — com- 
prising a  thorough  investigation  of  the  remote  and  immediate 
causes  of  the  epidemic  yellow  fever,  which  then  prevailed, — 
of  the  general,  specific,  and  anomalous  pathological  and  recu- 
perative phenomena,  which  characterized  it,  and  of  the  ex- 
tent to  which  the  cholera  reigned  and  exclusively  preserved 
its  specificity  of  character  during  the  intensity  of  its  delete- 
rious ravagings,  together  with  the  singularly  mixed  charac- 
ter which  many  of  the  cases  exhibited  from  having  received 
their  pathological  conditions  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  from 
both  the  morbific  agents,  with  the  causes  of  such  reception, 
miasmatically  and  constitutionally  considered, — would  make 


109 

such  an  interesting  and  valuable  acquisition  to  medical 
science,  as  we  may  reasonably  hope,  and  expect  in  due  time 
to  receive,  from  one  or  more  of  the  talented  practitioners, 
who  witnessed  the  devastating  operations  sequential  to  the 
coexestency  of  two  of  the  most  malignantly  virulent  miasms 
ever  engendered  and  rendered  operative  to  the  destruction 
of  human  life.  The  singularly  anomalous  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena,  arising  from  the  operativeness  of 
such  concomitancy  of  pestilential  causation  on  and  in  the  or- 
ganization, are  easily  explained  on  the  unerring  principles 
developed  by  our  philosophy ; — which  demonstrably  pro- 
claims, that  whenever  the  organization  becomes  pathologized 
by  any  noxious  agent,  or  agents,  nearly  to  the  extent  of  ir- 
recuperation; — it  will  not  only  become  assumptive  of  the 
specific  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  elicited  by 
the  specific  noxious  agent  or  agents,  but  simulative  to  greater 
or  less  extent,  in  manner  and  degree  corresponding  with 
constitutional  predisposition  and  idiosyncrasy,  both  of  the 
singularly  anomalous,  pathological, — and  particularly  of  the 
anomalous,  abortive,  recuperative  phenomena,  characterizing 
many  other  febrile  diseases,  whether  malignant  in  their  na- 
ture, or  rendered  so  by  unphilosophical  treatment. 

The  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  characteriz- 
ing all  diseases  whatever,  however  variantly  manifested  to 
observation,  receive  explanation  amounting  to  positive  cer- 
tainty, exclusively  from  mastering  the  philosophy  which  un- 
folds the  component  variations  of  the  morbific  agents,  and 
the  predispositions  or  idiosyncrasies  of  the  constitutions  re- 
ceptive of  them.  The  whole  tribe  of  bilious  fevers,  with 
their  immensely  varied  complexities  of  modification,  are 
more  or  less  mildly  or  severely  characterized  during  the  dif- 
ferent seasons,  even  in  the  same  localities,  arising  from  the 
same  causes,  according  to  the  greater  or  less  maturity  of  the 
noxious  stimuli  originating  them; — and  in  difierent  locali- 
ties, as  they  are  to  be  considered,  as  having  originated  from 
noxious  stimuli  considerably  different  in  many  respects,  as 
to  their  essential  composition,  from  such  as  are  productive 
15 


110 

of  them  in  other  localities,  and  equally  subject,  during  the 
different  seasons,  to  similar  causative  gradation ;  so  they  may 
respectively  become  assumptive  of  different  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena,  not  only  in  the  same  localities, 
during  different  seasons,  but  the  different  localities,  during 
the  same  season,  will  be  characterized  in  a  similarly  varied 
and  modified  manner,  from  similar  causative  gradations. 
Yellow  fevers  are  equally  subject  to  variation,  from  similar 
causative  variations  :— hence  the.  absurdity  of  characterizing 
these  diseases  exclusively  by  such  a  similar  train  of  pheno- 
mena, as  they  so  uniformly  have  been  by  the  authors  who 
have  described  them; — when  it  is  so  obviously  and  incon- 
trovertibly  true,  that  they  are  subject  to  such  variations  from 
miasmatic  and  constitutional  causes. 

The  pathological  are  invariably  and  proximately  causative 
of  the  recuperative  phenomena,  whenever  the  organization 
is  not  irrecuperatively  pathologized  ; — and  it  is  to  be  consi- 
dered as  indisputably  confirmed  by  repeated  observation, 
that  the  noxious  stimuli  causative  of  the  first  set  of  pheno- 
mena, may  often  proceed  to  the  yellow  fever  extent  of  cau- 
sation, for  reasons  before  explained,  without  materially  re- 
laxing and  enfeebling  the  systems  of  those  resident  within 
the  sphere  of  their  activity,  when  receptive  of  them; — under 
which  circumstances,  the  recuperative  phenomena  become 
assumptive  of  the  sthenic  diathesis,  and  are  characterized  by 
free,  open,  ardent,  and  energetic  action.  For  obvious  rea- 
sons, epidemics  of  this  description  are  thus  characterized — 
by  a  more  uniform  train  of  both  pathological  and  recupera- 
tive phenomena,  and  much  more  easily  recognized  and  esti- 
mated, than  such  as  are  originated  by  a  more  malignant  ma- 
turity of  the  noxious  miasmata,  when  operative  on,  and  in, 
debilitated  constitutions.  The  curative  indications  are  also 
more  easily  instituted,  and  conducted  to  suscessful  results, 
than  in  epidemics  arising  from  causes  more  matured  and 
malignant. 

In  such  proportion  as  the  conservative  powers  therefore 
institute  free  and  open  recuperative  excitation,  in  such  pro-« 


in 

portion  will  nppropriately  philosophic  medication  eliminate 
the  pathological  phenomena,  from  constitutions  equally  sound 
and  vigorous,  previous  to  the  reception  of  the  morbifxc  agents. 
The  practice  of  medicine  should  be  the  practice  of  its  philo- 
sophy— and  except  we  master  the  philosophy  of  pathological 
gradation  arising  from  the  nature  and  character  of  the  mor- 
bific agents,  and  the  constitutions  of  those  receptive  of  them, 
we  have  no  premises  from  whence  to  deduce  our  therapeu- 
tical indications. 

During  the  existence  of  yellow  fever  epidemics  recupera- 
tively  characterized  by  free  and  open  sthenic  action,  a  great 
proportion  of  those  exposed  to  the  morbid  agents  will  be 
found  to  possess  such  powers  of  vital  assistance  to  their  ac- 
tion, as  to  remain  entirely  unaffected  by  them  ; — or  they  may 
be  affected  to  the  extent  only  of  a  predisposition  to  their  re- 
ception, or  if  overpowered  by  them,  to  the  extent  of  their 
entrance  into  any  part  of  the  organization, — their  ravages 
will  be  so  slight,  as  to  require  from  the  conservative  powers 
nothing  more  than  such  mild  recuperative  excitations  as  will 
expel  the  morbid  conditions,  frequently  without  any  medi- 
cation, through  the  secretions  and  excretions; — or,  if  any 
should  be  considered  necessary,  none,  but  the  mildest  and 
blandest  remediate  agents  need^be  put  in  requisition  for  the 
purpose.  In  all  epidemics  of  this  description,  in  which  the 
resisting  powers  compared  with  other  epidemics  of  higher 
causative  concentration,  are  but  little  weakened,  there  will 
be,  with  much  uniformity  found,  numerous  gradations  of 
morbid  sensibilities  sooner  or  later  succeeded  by  salutary 
sensibilities,  or  recuperative  excitations,  in  manner  and  de- 
gree corresponding  with  such  impairment  of  nervous  energy 
as  the  organization  has  received.  Hence,  we  readily  recog- 
nize, fully  and  satisfactorily,  the  causes  which  more  uniformly 
and  to  greater  extent  gradate  epidemic  yellow  fevers  assump- 
tive of  the  sthenic  diathesis  of  recuperation,  than  those  as- 
sumptive of  the  asthenic.  All  the  phenomena  characterizing 
the  sthenic  are  more  uniform,  and  subject  to  much  more 
gradation  and  uniformity  of  it,  than  those  characterizing  the 


112 

asthenic; — which,  arising  from  more  malignant  and  concen* 
trated  causes,  become  assumptive  of  much  greater  variety  of 
anomalous  phenomena,  and  less  variety  of  gradation; — be- 
cause, the  organization  is  pathologized  nearly,  and  often 
quite,  to  the  extent  of  irrecuperation.  But  however  mildly 
or  severely  the  morbid  and  salutary  sensibilities  may  be 
manifested  in  the  pathologized  organization,  they  will  indis- 
putably require  medicating  agents  more  or  less  mild,  or  se- 
vere, in  their  nature  and  operation,  in  a  manner  philosophi- 
cally corresponding  with  the  pathological  and  recuperative 
gradations  and  variations ; — and  all  the  anomalous  patholo- 
gical and  recuperative  phenomena  will  respectively  require 
their  appropriately  philosophic  medicating  agents.  To  ac- 
quire all  the  knowledge  necessary  to  be  put  in  thorough  re- 
quisition for  accomplishing  the  resolution  and  elimination  of 
the  deep  depressions  and  congestions  of  nervous  energy, 
originating  the  asthenic  species  of  yellow  fever,  or  any  other 
pestilential  malady,  is  the  greatest  and  noblest  of  all  the 
achievements  which  man  is  capable  of  performing  this  side 
of  that  eternal  blessedness,  to  the  translation  of  which  he  is 
sooner  or  later  destined,  through  the  perfectionating  opera- 
tiveness  of  his  nervous  organization.  What  is  the  intellectual 
glory,  great  as  it  is  justly  to  Jae  estimated,  of  instituting  and 
defining  the  rights  of  persons  and  things,  individually  and 
nationally  considered,  and  of  conducting  them  to  the  legiti- 
mate standard  of  justice  through  ligitation,  when  disputes 
arise  between  meum  et  tuuni  ?  What  is  the  intellectual  glory 
of  sacking  cities,  demolishing  empires,  and  slaughtering 
millions  of  immortal  beings?  Or  what  is  the  intellectual 
glory,  pertaining  to  any  of  the  pursuits  of  man, — when  com- 
pared with  the  acquisition  of  such  philosophical  knowledge 
and  controul  over  the  deeply  distempered  organization  of 
man,  as  will  enable  the  talented  practitioner  of  medicine  to 
rescue  his  fellow  men  from  such  destruction  as  would  be  in- 
evitable,—without  the  acquisition  and  exercise  of  such  know- 
ledge ? 

We  have  unfolded  in  general  terms,  all  such  setiological 


U8 

and  recuperative  philosopliy  pertaining  to  the  organization 
when  pathologizeil  by  tlie  poisonous  miasmata  causative  of 
epidemic  yellow  fevers,  as  will  conduct  every  philosophic 
practitioner  straight  forward  to  such  graduated  and  varied 
medication,  as  will  be  scientifically  correspondent  with  all 
the  pathological  and  recuperative  characteristics  of  all  the 
cases  presented  to  their  observation,  either  in  the  sthenic  or 
asthenic  species  of  yellow  fever,  however  gradated  or  ano- 
malously varied. 

The  examination  of  all  other  pestilential  epidemics — 
plagues,  typhus  fevers,  or  other  malignant  maladies,  origi- 
nating in  and  confined  to  particular  localities, — or  influenzas, 
choleras,  &c.  that  traverse  and  desolate  the  earth,  will  ine- 
vitably result  in  all  the  conclusions  we  have  drawn  from  the 
considerations  we  have  bestowed  on  yellow  fevers. 

What  medication  cures  the  spasmodic  cholera?  Any  that 
will  resolve  the  concentrated  depressions  and  congestions  of 
the  nervous  energies  supplying  the  assimilative  apparatus  of 
the  organization.  The  nervous  powers  supplying  what  has 
been  called  by  some  physiologists  organic  life,  in  this  de- 
plorable malady  are  congested  beyond  redemption,  except 
the  pathological  conditions  by  appropriate  medication  be  so 
far  weakened  and  meliorated,  as  to  permit  the  organization 
to  institute  recuperative  excitations  or  salutary  reaction  as  it 
is  called,  by  which  the  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibili- 
ties may  be  effected  through  the  legitimate  outlets,  by  the 
continuance  of  such  medication  as  is  appropriate  to  the  recu- 
perative condition  of  the  organization.  The  analysis  of  this, 
one  of  the  most  desolating  of  all  the  pestilences  which  have 
ever  afilicted  the  human  race,  will  indubitably  prove  all  the 
positions  we  have  advanced  respecting  yellow  fever,  and 
prove  that  precisely  similar  positions  must  be  assumed  for 
reaching  the  philosophy  pertaining  to  all  maladies  whatso- 
ever, from  whatsoever  causative  agents  originating.  The 
analysis  of  any  one  disease,  either  of  the  highest  or  lowest 
grade,  but  particularly  of  the  highest,  unfolds  the  principles 
for  analyzing  all  the  maladies  to  which  mankind  have  ever 


114 

been,  or  ever  can  be  subject,  from  all  and  every  possible 
variety  of  causation. 

Not  one  of  the  systems  of  medical  philosophy,  ancient  or 
modern,  recognizes  a  single  one  of  the  principles  constituting 
our  own,  to  such  extent  as  required  by  true  philosophy ; — 
therefore  can  prefer  no  claims  to  our  affiliation. 

Our  system  is  irremovably  grounded  on  a  series  of  self- 
evident  propositions,  developing  all  the  principles  required 
for  thoroughlj'  elucidating  all  the  physiological  phenomena 
pertaining  to  the  organization  in  a  salutary  condition,  from 
the  appropriate  reception  and  distribution  of  appropriate 
sensibilities,  from  appropriate  sources,  in  appropriate  quan- 
tities;— for  elucidating  as  thoroughly  all  the  pathological 
phenomena  arising  from  the  reception  and  transmission  of 
morbid  sensibilities,  from  whatsoever  causative  agents; — 
and  for  as  thoroughly  and  satisfactorily  elucidating  all  the  re- 
cuperative excitations,  instituted  by  the  conservative  powers 
for  their  elimination,  in  all  cases  in  which  they  have  not 
pathologized  the  organization  to  the  irrecuperative  extent  of 
nervous  depression  and  congestion; — and  finally,  leads  us  to 
the  recognition  and  adoption  of  the  most  efficacious  medica- 
tion, for  eliminating  all  morbid  sensibilities  whatsoever, 
from  whatsoever  causes  arising.  We  therefore  utterly  de- 
molish all  such  philosophies  as  have  heretofore  been  pre- 
sented to  the  world,  and  open  to  palpable  observation,  ine- 
vitable recognition,  and  scientific  appreciation,  all  the  true 
and  natural  principles  which  should  guide  and  direct  us  all, 
in  all  our  medical- investigations.  As  therefore  the  study  of 
medicine,  agreeably  to  the  principles  unfolded  by  our  self- 
evident  propositions,  must  lead  to  all  the  real,  rational,  and 
therefore  permanent  improvements,  of  which  the  science  is 
now,  or  ever  can  be  rendered  susceptible,  we  shall  proceed 
to  some  further  observations  for  the  purpose  of  more  fully 
illustrating  this  truly  natural  and  common  sense  system  of 
medicine. 

Our  philosophy  leads  to  the  utter  demolition  of  all  pre- 
vious nosology,  as  totally  unnatural  and  arbitrary,  therefore 


115 

totally  unphilosophical,  and  inevitably  leading  to  such  biblio- 
thecal  and  routine  practice,  as  has  heretofore  operated  more 
exclusively  than  any  other  cause,  to. blind,  dazzle  and  be- 
wilder medical  men,  and  preclude  them  from  instituting  any 
thing  like  appropriate  investigations,  for  eliciting  the  truths 
of  medical  philosophy.  Until,  therefore,  medical  practi- 
tioners shall  extricate  themselves  from  the  puzzling  and  be- 
witching chaos  conjured  up  by  the  nosologists,  and  become 
fully  convinced  that  their  labours  have  been  worse  than  use- 
less, that  they  have  dazzled  and  bewildered  their  readers  to 
the  preclusive  extent  of  making  any  medical  researches,  and 
moreover,  -had  the  effect  of  confirming  themselves,  as  well 
as  the  rest  of  the  medical  world,  in  the  besotting  darkness 
of  the  grossest  ignorance,  they  will  never  make  any  progress 
toward  the  acquisition  of  the  noblest  of  all  human  know- 
ledge— the  true  philosophy  of  medicine. 

Every  system  of  medicine,  ancient  and  modern,  has  been 
erected  on  some  one  or  tnore  fancied  assumptions  of  meta- 
physical entities  ;  all  more  or  less  differing  from  each  other, 
and  consequently,  requiring  correspondently  different  noso- 
logizing ; — which  they  have  respectively  received,  to  such 
unintelligible  extent,  that  the  student  soon  finds  himself  be- 
wildered in  an  inextricable  labyrinth  of  nomenclatural  diffi- 
culties, totally  incomprehensible  to  him,  and  existing,  in 
fact,  only  in  the  wild  fancies  of  those  who  projected  them. 
But  the  true  philosophy  of  medicine  is  rapidly  unveiling  it- 
self to  the  unhesitating  recognition  of  all  legitimately  de- 
rived medical  intelligence ; — and  many  of  the  most  talented 
practitioners  of  the  science  in  Europe,  and  our  own  country, 
have,  through  their  inductive  researches,  elicited  so  many 
important  facts  aetiologically,  recuperatively,  and  therapeu- 
tically considered  ;  and  deduced  from  them  such  approach  to 
legitimate  reasoning, — that  they  are  on  the  point  of  acknow- 
ledging all  our  propositions,  and  the  principles  developed 
by  them.  All  such  practitioners  are  to  be  considered  as 
having  liberated  themselves,  not  only  from  the  ignominious 
thraldom  of  nosology,  but  from  most  of  the  mystic  influ- 


116 

ences,  which  have  for  thousands  of  years  been  so  delete- 
riously  operative  on  the  medical  sciences : — they  are  now 
standing  on  the  very  threshhold  of  the  temple  of  medical 
philosophy,  into  which  they  will  sooner  or  later  effect  a  le- 
gitimate entrance,  by  recognizing  the  organization  of  man  in 
a  primary,  progressive,  and  ultimate  sense  considered,  as  ex- 
clusively nervous  in  composition  and  action,  frorn  his  crea- 
tion or  reproduction,  and  continuance  in  time,  until  his 
translation  to  eternity  shall  be  effected,  through  the  ethereal 
operativeness  of  the  perfectionating  radicles  of  his  nervous 
organization.  The  entrance  by  some  one  or  more  of  those 
meritorious  philosophers  now  engaged  in  the  study  of  the 
nervous  system,  will  soon  be  effected,  not  only  into  the 
temple  of  medical,  but  of  moral  and  religious  philosophy, 
where  they  will  soon  have  revealed  to  them  the  true  phi- 
losophy of  the  relationship  existing  between  their  omnipo- 
tent Creator  and  themselves, — and  have  clearly  demonstrated 
to  them,  that  the  philosophical  radicles  of  the  sum  total  of 
all  the  varied  knowledge  which  man  can  aspire  to  and  attain, 
during  his  probationary  existence  in  time,  are  exclusively 
inherent  and  operative  in  his  nervous  organization.  In  this 
temple  of  universal  knowledge,  they  will  recognize  beyond 
the  possibility  of  successful  contradiction,  the  truth  of  all  our 
propositions,  and  the  principles  developed  by  them.  They 
will  learn  that  the  philosophy  of  nosology  should  be  in  strict 
correspondence  with  such  physiological  and.  pathological 
phenomena,  as  are  manifested  •  by  the  nervous  organization 
when  distempered  from  whatsoever  causative  agents.  And 
they  will  learn,  that  to  nosologize  all  the  ills  which  flesh  and 
blood  are  heir  to,  agreeably  to  the  principles  flowing  from 
strict  philosophy,  it  would  be  indispensably  necessary,  to 
wield  the  power  of  resolving  the  varied  organization  of  man, 
with  all  its  correspondently  varied  operations,  and  all  the 
numerous  and  variedly  specific  morbific  causes,  and  their 
correspondently  varied  specific  pathological  consequences, 
and  the  correspondently  varied  and  specific  recuperative  ex- 
citations, ordinarily  accompanying,  or  sooner  or  later  sue- 


117 

ceeding  them,  into  their  respectively  varied  and  specific  com- 
ponent elements  ;  and  to  clearly  see  and  appreciate  the  infi- 
nite variations  and  modifications,  to  which  such  ills  are  sub- 
ject, from  the  varying  influences  of  physical,  political,  moral, 
and  religious  causes,  as  modifying  and  modelling  the  immense 
variety  of  manners  and  customs,  pertaining  to  man,  in  the 
different  climates  and  regions  of  the  earth.  The  essential 
principles  compositive  of  the  total  philosophy  of  Deity  and 
all  his  creations  might,  therefore,  with  quite  as  much  reason, 
be  attempted,  as  to  nosologize  diseases  to  such  strict  extent, 
as  would  be  required  by  the  total  and  true  philosophy  per- 
taining to  them. 

Our  philosophy  therefore,  rejects  all  the  nosological  sys- 
tems now  in  vogue,  because  they  are  all  built  on  unintelligi- 
ble and  metaphysically  mystic  entities,  unavoidably  dazzling 
and  bewildering  learners,  and  leading  them  far  astray  from 
such  natural,  simple,  and  true  philosophy,  as  can  alone  guide 
and  direct  them  in  their  studies,  to  the  acquisition  of  suc- 
cessful and  philosophical  results.  We  recognize  the  nature 
and  force  of  the  causes,  which  have  so  uniformly  and  power- 
fully operated  to  retard  our  advance  in  the  medical  sciences; 
and  now,  after  having  mastered  the  true  philosophy  pertain- 
ing to  them,  must  recognize  the  impossibility  of  reaching 
positively  mathematical  demonstration,  respecting  the  varied 
knowledge,  respectively  supportive  of  them,  as  philosophical 
sciences. 

But  notwithstanding  these  recognitions  are  unavoidably 
demanded  by  true  philosophy,  we  unhesitatingly  pronounce, 
that  by  appropriate  prosecution  of  our  medical  studies,  we 
shall  unavoidably  reach  such  intuitive  self-evident  demon- 
stration in  all  the  branches  of  the  science,  as  will  be  infinitely 
more  satisfactory  than  the  partial  advance  to  positiveness 
which  has  been  effected  by  measuring  the  distances,  and  cal- 
culating the  movements,  &c.  of  a  few  of  the  physical  crea- 
tions. 

We  therefore  inculcate  the  indispensable  necessity  of  tho- 
roughly mastering  the  aetiological  departments  of  medicine, 
16 


118 

by  thoroughly  studying  the  doctrine  of  causation  respective- 
ly, and  specifically,  pertaining  to  each  and  every  deviation, 
from  the  salutary  physiological  condition  of  the  system.  The 
varied  natures  of  the  causative  agents,  often  exterior  to  the 
organization,  are  to  be  respectively  and  specifically  studied 
at  their  sources ;  but  the  pathological  conditions  of  the  orga- 
nizations receptive  of  them,  and  of  the  recuperative  excita- 
tions raised  by  the  conservative  powers,  or  by  such  physio- 
logical powers,  as  remain  operative  in  the  pathologized  or- 
ganizations, are  to  be  exclusively  studied  at  the  bed-side  of 
the  sick.  They  will  there  only  be  found  characterized  by 
such  numberless  varieties  of  symptoms,  or  external  and  in- 
ternal manifestations,  as  to  positively  prohibit  such  nosolo- 
gical nomenclature,  as  would  be  required  by  our  philosophy, 
when  carried  to  its  legitimate  and  ultimate  results.  For  the 
different  cases  of  disease  appropriately  and  philosophically 
ranking  under  the  same  general  head  of  pathological  and  re- 
cuperative phenomena,  and  arising  from  the  same  general 
cause,  or  causes,  even  in  the  same  localities,  will  exhibit 
such  infinite  variety  of  manifestation,  that  they  cannot  be 
philosophically  recognized  by  consentient  symptomatology. 
The  morbid  sensibilities  respectively  constituting  them  will 
be  so  variant,  and  consequently,  the  recuperative  excitations 
so  dissimilar  and  variant,  as  to  require  equally  varied  insti- 
tutions of  varied  medication,  for  resolving  the  varied  morbid 
sensibilities,  and  eliminating  them  from  the  organization. 

And  if  they  are  subject  to  all  these  variations  in  similar 
localities,  not  only  during  the  same,  but  much  more  so,  the 
different  seasons;  they  must  be  considered  subject  to  them 
equally,  in  different  localities  from  similar  causes,  and  there- 
fore productive  of  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena 
frequently  much  more  variant,  from  variety  of  causation, 
than  those  occurring  in  the  first-mentioned  localities.  Yel- 
low fevers  are  therefore  characterized  as  to  their  essential 
phenomena,  not  only  very  variantly  during  the  different  sea- 
sons of  their  prevalence  in  the  same  localities,  but  still  more 
variantly  characterized  from  the  same  causes,  in  the  differ- 


119 

ent  localities  where  tliey  prevail.  These  are  not  distinctions 
without  differences, — variations  without  their  correspondent 
causes.  These  observations  are  philosophically  sustained  by 
an  examination  of  such  epidemics,  not  only  in  the  same  lo- 
calities, during  the  same  and  different  seasons;  l)utby  a  com- 
parison of  them  with  similar  epidemics  indifferent  localities. 
Hence  has  arisen  such  discrepancy  of  opinion  respecting 
these  and  man}"-  other  epidemics ; — hence  the  descriptions  of 
authors  recognizing  but  a  few  general  symptoms  in  common, 
and  making  these  to  consist  of  a  certain  limited  number  of 
ontological  entities,  unaccompanied  by  any  philosophical  ex- 
planation. The  truth  is,  they  had  no  philosophy  applicable 
to  them,  to  impart  to  us.  But  we  are  unfolding  to  them  their 
true  and  palpable  philosophj- ;  a  philosophy  which  they  can, 
if  they  will  appropriately  read,  study,  and  reflect  upon, 
readily  recognize  and  appreciate.  For  they  must  unavoida- 
bly in  this  way  arrive  at  the  recognition,  that  all  diseases 
whatever,  arising  from  all  causative  agents  whatever,  consist 
of  greater  or  less  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  vital 
energies  of  such  departments  of  the  organization  as  are  im- 
plicated in  them;  and  that  they  consist  of  such  depressions 
of  vitality,  not  only  during  the  predisposition  of  the  system 
to  their  reception,  when  exposed  to  them,  but  at  the  very 
instant  of  their  entrance  into  it ;  for  notwithstanding  they 
thus  gain  their  entrance  through  their  stimulant  operation, 
yet  they  do  so  by  overpowering  the  resisting, — the  conserv- 
ative energies  of  the  organization  for  a  longer  or  shorter 
time,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  by  their  depressive  ope- 
rations;— until,  in  ordinary  cases,  recuperative  excitations 
are  either  favourably,  or  feebly  and  inefficiently,  or  spasmo- 
dically and  convulsively  raised  ; — or  not  at  all,  according  to 
the  nature  and  concentration  of  the  causative  agents,  and  the 
conservative  operativeness  of  the  nervous  organization.  All 
causative  agents  of  disease  therefore,  invariably  act  to  the  de- 
pression of  nervous  energy,  and  continue  so  to  act,  until  ex- 
pelled the  system,  or  productive  of  death.  The  most  nu- 
merous and  destructive  diseases    afflicting    mankind,  arise 


120 

from  noxious  stimuli,  and  they  are  very  numerous  and  va- 
rious, and  contrary  to  the  belief  of  all  medical  philosophers, 
in  all  ages,  they  invariably  operate  to  the  production  of  de- 
pressions and  congestions  of  the  vital  energies,  of  such  de- 
partments of  the  organization,  as  are  either  primarily  or 
consecutively  invaded  by,  and  receptive  of  them : — never 
under  any  circumstances,  to  the  excitation  of  increased  ac- 
tions, as  manifested  in  the  arterial  circulations,  or  any  other 
departments  of  the  organization.  It  is  self-evidently  impos- 
sible, even  to  conceive,  that  noxious  stimuli  should,  under 
any  circumstances  of  application,  act  otherwise  than  to  the 
enfeebling  of  nervous  energy; — therefore  all  the  irritations 
and  inflammations,  and  fevers,  occurring  and  persisting,  dur- 
ing the  continuance  of  the  pathological  conditions,  are  sa- 
lutary productions  of  the  vis  medicatrix  naturse.  As  are 
the  pathological,  therefore,  such  will  be  the  recuperative 
phenomena. 

The  philosophy  of  the  relationship  existing  between  them 
is  therefore  established;  and  it  is  obvious  that  they  will  both 
be  influenced  in  a  manner  corresponding  with  the  greater  or 
less  maturity  of  the  causative  agents,  and  the  state  of  strength 
and  vigour  of  the  resisting  powers  of  the  constitutions  re- 
spectively receptive  of  them.  From  the  first  and  lowest, 
therefore,  to  the  last  and  highest  maturity  of  causation,  mi- 
asmatically  and  constitutionally  considered,  there  will  be 
found  numerous  gradations  of  this,  and  all  other  pestilential 
epidemics,  characterized  by  pathological  and  recuperative 
phenomena,  corresponding  with  such  causative  variations. 
The  first  and  lowest  are  usually  productive  of  pathological 
phenomena  very  soon  succeeded  in  general,  by  free  and  open 
recuperative  excitation; — therefore  of  a  much  more  limited 
number  of  singularly  anomalous  recuperative  manifestations; 
and  all  the  highest  gradations  of  this  pestilential  epidemic, 
when  characterized  by  the  ardent  sthenic  diathesis  of  recu- 
peration will,  if  unchecked  by  appropriately  philosophic  me- 
dication, not  only  run  to  the  production  of  disorganizations, 
and  obstructions,  and  consecutive  congestions  of  nervous 


121 

energy,  infinitely  more  fatal  and  incurable  than  the  pri- 
mary; but  likewise  to  the  production  of  a  greater  number 
of  anomalous,  pathological,  and  recuperative  phenomena,  as 
manifested  in  the  organization,  from  the  primary  invasion  of 
the  noxious  agents,  till  they  gnaw  their  way  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  vitality,  or  are  eliminated  from  the  constitution  by 
the  salutary  operations  of  the  conservative  powers.  But  it 
is  always  particularly  to  be  recollected,  that  this  epidemic, 
when  originated  by  the  very  highest  concentration  of  causa- 
tive maturity,  is  invariably  characterized  recuperatively,  by 
feeble  and  unavailing  irritative  and  inflammatory,  or  febrile, 
or  both, — or  spasmodic  and  convulsive,  or  no  recuperative 
manifestation  at  all.  In  all  these  pestilences  of  very  highest 
gradation,  when  thus  unavailingly  characterized  by  the  low 
typhoid,  and  ataxic  or  adynamic  diathesis  of  recuperation, 
there  will  be  found  a  more  and  more  numerous  variety  of 
anomalous,  pathological,  and  recuperative  phenomena,  ac- 
cording to  the  varying  intensity  of  causation.  Such  is  in 
general  terms,  the  true  philosophy  of  this  and  all  other  pes- 
tilential epidemics,  as  to  their  causative  gradations,  both  pa- 
thologically and  recuperatively  considered, — we  cannot  now 
descend  to  particulars, — our  object  being  exclusively  to  un- 
fold in  general  terms  thetrucphilosophy  which  should  guide 
and  direct  us,  not  only  in  studying  this,  but  all  other  epi- 
demic pestilences.  We  shall  now,  therefore,  notice  but  one 
proof  of  the  truth  of  our  pestilential  causative  gradation, 
which  is  conclusively  demonstrative  of  it,  without  adducing 
any  other,  viz: — that  in  the  southern  and  intertropical  cli- 
mates, where  these  pestilences  are  of  ordinary  production, 
in  epidemics  of  the  lowest  causative  gradation,  strangers 
and  such  as  have  been  but  a  short  time  residents,  are  al- 
most exclusively  the  only  persons  invaded  by  them  : — 
whereas,  in  the  epidemics  of  these  regions  which  are  ori- 
ginated by  higher  maturity  of  causation,  and  more  parti- 
cularly, by  the  very  highest,  the  natives  and  those  long  re- 
sident in,  and  seasoned  to  such  regions,  are  liable  to  be  at- 


122 

tacked; — and  even  the  brute  creations  become  more  or  less 
poisoned  by  the  concentrated  virulence  of  the  noxious  mias- 
mata originating  them; — as  happened  during  the  Athenian 
and  Egyptian  plagues,  and  a  vast  variety  of  others  since 
those  times. 

The  truth  of  all  the  observations  we  have  made  respecting 
this  pestilential  epidemic,  will  be  readily  admitted  by  all  the 
talented  and  experienced  practitioners  in  southern  and  inter- 
tropical climates  particularly ;  and  a  philosophic  observation 
of  the  operations  of  the  exclusively  causative  and  continua- 
tive  instruments  of  our  vitality,  will  alone  conduct  them  and 
us  to  the  comprehension  and  appreciation  of  all  the  patholo- 
gical conditions,  characteristic  not  only  of  this,  but  of  all 
other  pestilential  epidemics,  the  cholera  included,  which 
have  excited  for  their  expulsion  from  the  organization  by 
the  conservative  energies,  irritative,  inflammatory,  febrile, 
spasmodic,  convulsive,  or  any  other  more  mixed  and  anoma- 
lous recuperative  manifestations,  or  none  at  all,^ — however 
singularly  irregular  they  may  be  presented  to  philosophic 
observation,  or  however  singularly  dissimilar  to  the  more 
ordinary  recuperative  manifestations  of  the  more  ordinary 
diseases,  denominated  febrile  by  the  nosologists. 

Epidemic  yellow  fevers  are  therefore  to  be  philosophically 
considered  as  plenarily  rich  in  pathological  and  recuperative 
phenomena,  varying  in  correspondence  with  their  causative 
variations,  miasmatically  and  constitutionally  considered  ; — 
so  are  all  other  pestilential  diseases,  as  well  those  restricted 
to  localities,  as  those  traversing  and  desolating  the  earth. 
However  different  from  each  other  the  poisonous  materials 
compositive  of  them  maybe,  when  received  into  the  organi- 
zation, they  become  productive  of  pathological  and  recupe- 
rative manifestations  acting  on  the  same  general  principles, 
in  all  cases  to  the  greater  or  less  depression  and  congestion 
of  the  nervous  energies; — which  are  to  be  philosophically 
considered,  invariably,  as  proximately  operative  to  the  pro- 
duction of  recuperative  excitations,  sooner  or  later  of  the 


123 

sthenic  or  asthenic  species,  according  to  the  greater  or  less 
diminution  or  prostration  of  nervous  energy,  or  to  no  recu- 
peration at  all. 

We  may  well  therefore  repeat,  that  not  only  the  greater 
or  less  maturity  of  causation  in  the  noxious  agents  originating 
such  pestilential  diseases,  as  are  more  or  less  exclusively  re- 
stricted in  their  ravages  to  localities,  as  the  plague,  bilious 
and  yellow  fevers,  typhus  fevers,  &c. — but  also  the  greater 
or  less  strength  and  vigour  of  vital  resistances  manifested  in 
the  constitutions  respectively  receptive  of  them,  are  to  be 
taken  into  thoroughly  philosophic  consideration,  in  order  to 
appropriately  recognize  and  appreciate  their  numerously 
varying  pathological  and  recuperative  characteristics,  not 
only  in  the  same,  but  during  the  different  seasons  of  their 
prevalence,  in  the  same,  as  well  as  different  localities.  We 
repeat  this,  because  we  wish  that  it  may  be  distinctly  noted 
and  recollected,  that  unless  we  constantly  have  in  view  these 
truly  philosophical  causes  of  the  variations  of  the  pathological 
and  recuperative  phenomena  characterizing  not  only  these, 
but  all  other  pestilential  maladies,  and  all  other  maladies  in 
a  greater  or  less  degree  from  whatsoever  causative  agents 
arising,  we  shall  never  reach  the  philosophy  of  medicine; — 
but  be  forever  practising  ignominiously  in  the  routine  and 
bibliothecal  manner  which  leads  exclusively  to  the  confirma- 
tion of  ignorance  and  stupidity,  and  in  fact  to  more  or  less 
empiricism  in  the  treatment  of  all  diseases,  from  all  causes; — 
for,  the  philosophy  of  no  one  disease  whatever  can  be  under- 
stood without  recognizing  the  whole  of  the  philosophy  which 
we  have  unfolded  as  pertaining  to  yellow  fevers. 

The  whole  of  our  philosophy  thus  delivered,  calls  for  one 
only  axiom  in  the  therapeutic  department  of  the  science, 
which  when  appropriately  recognized  and  estimated,  will 
lead  the  practitioner  direct  to  the  adoption  of  such  medica- 
tion, as  will  most  effectively  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibili- 
ties, constituting  any  disease  whatever,  from  the  organiza- 
tion. This  axiom  will  be  instituted  in  due  time;  after  we 
shall  have  more  fully  and  satisfactorily  demonstrated  it  to 


124 

be  the  only  one  required  by  the  true  philosophy  pertaining 
to  every  description  of  morbid  sensibility  which  can  now  or 
ever  afflict  the  organization  of  man,  under  any  circumstances 
whatever  to  which  he  may  be  subjected  in  any  regions  of 
our  creation.  In  the  mean  time,  as  at  the  present  writing, 
the  cholera  asphyxia  is  devastating  extensive  regions  of  our 
own  country,  and  is  a  disease  more  admirably  calculated, 
probably,  than  any  other  epidemic  pestilence,  for  proving 
beyond  all  possible  disputation,  the  truth  of  our  fundamental 
proposition,  that  the  nervous  system  is  exclusively  the  whole 
system  of  man; — we  shall  bestow  on  it  a  few  observations, 
which  will  if  possible,  more  fully  illustrate  our  philosophy. 

It  may  perhaps  be  deemed  presumptive  in  us  to  undertake 
an  analysis  of  spasmodic  cholera, — a  disease  we  have  never 
seen  raging  epidemically; — but  it  must  be  recollected,  that 
our  philosophy  opens  directly  to  palpable  view, — to  unhesi- 
tating, unavoidable  recognition,  all  the  principles  required 
for  analyzing  all  diseases  whatever,  to  such  satisfactory  de- 
monstrative extent,  as  they  can  now,  or  ever,  be  made  sus- 
ceptible of,  this  side  of  eternity.  It  will  not  therefore  be 
considered,  that  we  are  occupying  forbidden  ground,  if  we 
appropriate  to  our  use  such  descriptions  of  it  as  have  been 
communicated  by  the  most  eminent  practitioners,  who  have 
seen  and  witnessed  and  studied  it,  in  the  several  regions  of 
the  earth,  particularly  where  it  has  from  local  causes  been 
rendered  assumptive  of  the  highest  poisonous  concentration 
of  malignancy  : — for  although  the  various  descriptions  which 
have  been  given  of  it,  in  various  regions  of  the  earth  where 
it  has  prevailed,  be  in  many  respects  very  dissimilar,  and 
the  philosophical  speculations  respecting  the  disease,  mate- 
rially different  from  each  other;  yet  our  philosophy  forthwith 
developes  all  the  principles  to  be  put  in  requisition  for  re- 
conciling and  forever  settling  all  the  discrepant  descriptions 
and  speculations  which  have  been  elicited  by  them,  respect- 
ing this  desolating  scourge. 

By  the  inductive  process  of  ratiocination,  it  has  been  sa- 
tisfactorily settled  by  most  of  the  most  distinguished  of  our 


125 

medical  philosophers,  that  the  causes  of  all  our  epidemic 
bih'ous  and  yellow  fevers,  typhus  fevers  and  plagues,  with 
all  their  numerous  gradations  and  correspondent  complexities 
of  modification,  are  known  to  originate  from  the  deleterious 
miasmata  evolved  during  the  dissolution  and  putrefaction  of 
vegetable  and  animal  substances  separately; — or,  as  is  most 
usually  the  case,  from  a  combination  of  both.  All  these,  and 
several  other  epidemic  pestilences,  are  restricted  to  particu- 
lar regions  of  the  earth,  and  generally  to  particular  localities 
in  such  regions.  And,  when  it  is  appropriately  considered 
that  this  is  the  nearest  approach  to  truth,  in  the  way  of  their 
causation,  which  has  or  ever  can  be  made,  that  it  is  simply 
thus  known  that  they  all  arise  from  noxious  stimuli  thus  en- 
gendered and  denominated  vegeto-animal  miasmata  or  ma- 
laria, totally  incapable  of  analysis,  and  therefore  of  positive 
demonstration,  by'any  philosophical  machinery  within  the 
reach  of  man,  because  invisible,  intangible,  &c. — much  less 
can  it  be  expected,  that  even  this  approach  to  truth  can  be 
mastered  by  any  philosophical  investigations  that  may  be 
instituted  by  man,  respecting  the  component  elements  of  the 
noxious  agents  originating  epidemic  influenzas,  choleras,  &c. 
that  occasionally  traverse  and  desolate  much  more  extensive 
regions  of  the  earth.  We  know  that  all  diseases  must  arise 
from  material  causes,  in  a  solid,  liquid,  or  gaseous  state,  and 
as  the  first  mentioned  class  of  epidemics  are  known  to  arise 
from  malaria,  so  the  philosophy  of  analogy  leads  us  to  re- 
cognize the  latter  class  also,  as  arising  from  malaria,  of  more 
extended  subtile  and  penetrating  atmospheric  or  telluric  for- 
mation, or  of  a  combination  of  both;  and  all  subject  as  to 
their  causation  to  some  more  remote  planetary  or  other  in- 
fluences, operating  to  the  production  of  the  noxious  mias- 
mata originating  cholera.  There  are  many  reasons  which 
might  be  adduced,  from  appropriate  considerations,  bestow- 
ed on  the  atmospheric  changes  which  have  for  a  few  years 
past,  been  so  manifestly  subjected  to  philosophic  observation, 
to  fortify  this  opinion. 

17 


126 

But  whatever  may  be  the  subtile,  penetrating,  and  malig- 
nant nature  of  the  causes  of  cholera,  it  is  certain  that  they  . 
have  originated  in  the  different  regions  of  the  earth  which 
have  been  invaded  by  them,  very  different  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena  ;  and  therefore,  that  the  noxious 
stimuli  and  constitutions  receptive  of  them,  must  have  been 
matured  in  malignancy,  in  a  manner  appropriately  corres- 
ponding to  such  varied  malignancy  of  effect.  It  is  particu- 
larly worthy  of  philosophic  observation,  that  the  causes 
which  originated  this  disease  in  many  of  the  Asiatic  regions, 
must  have  been  matured  to  the  very  highest  point  of  pesti- 
lential concentration ; — as  thousands  on  thousands  were 
struck  as  instantly  dead  by  them,  as  they  could  have  been 
by  lightning; — and  millions  on  millions  of  them,  in  from 
one  to  less  than  twenty-four  hours,  without  any  premoni- 
tion. And  it  m.ay  be  also  very  appropriately  observed,  that 
the  causes  productive  of  this  pestilence  throughout  Asia, 
were  much  more  matured  than  those  productive  of  it  in 
Europe ; — and  those  in  Europe  much  more  so,  generally, 
than  those  in  our  own  country.  From  India,  or  any  other 
parts  of  Asia,  ravaged  by  this  epidemic,  we  hear  little,  if 
any  thing,  said  about  premonitory  symptoms,  by  any  of  the 
distinguished  physicians  who  witnessed  it  there.  It  is  in 
Europe  we  first  learn  that  this  disease  is  always  preceded  by 
premonitory  symptoms,  easy  of  removal,  and  therefore  of 
the  prevention  of  spasmodic  cholera ;  and  in  our  own  coun- 
try, we  have  heard  still  more  of  these  premonitory  symp- 
toms,— the  removal  of  which  prevents  the  dread  cholera. 
The  causes  of  all  these  different  opinions  are  obviously  to 
be  attributed  to  causative  variations  : — which  settles  at  once 
the  discrepancies  among  the  medical  philosophers  in  the  va- 
rious parts  of  the  world  which  have  been  ravaged  by  this 
dread  pestilence.  It  is  with  this,  as  with  all  other  pestilen- 
tial epidemics,  travelling  so  much  in  darkness,  that  as  is  the 
maturity  of  its  causes,  and  the  state  of  predisposition  to  their 
reception  in  the  organizations  when  exposed  to,  and  recep- 
tive of  them,  such  must,  and  inevitably  will  be,  in  a  cor- 


127 

responding  degree,  the  characteristics  of  the  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena  induced  by  them.  We  see  that  in 
Asia,  where  endemic  and  epidemic  choleras  have  so  often 
occurred  of  highest  maturity  of  concentration,  that  the  in- 
stant of  invasion  is  generally,  cither  death,  or  irretrievable 
collapse,  of  the  total  vital  energies  of  the  organization;  and 
that  in  none  of  tliese  cases  is  there  any  division  into  stages, 
that  can  be  recognized  by  true  philosophy.  There  are  no 
premonitory  symptoms, — no  recuperative  phenomena  insti- 
tuted by  the  conservative  powers  of  any  avail,  or  that  can  be 
discerned  or  recognized  by  other  than  legitimately  philoso- 
phic observation: — all  are  in  fact,  or  may  be  so  considered, 
as  to  their  ravaging  effects,  pathological  phenomena,  pros- 
trating the  powers  of  life  beyond  redemption,  either  instant- 
ly, or  in  a  very  few  hours ; — unless  by  appropriately  potent 
medication,  reaction  can  be  instituted,  and  rendered  conduc- 
tive to  the  resolution  and  expulsion  of  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena. The  true  Asiatic  cholera  therefore,  cannot  be  phi- 
losophically recognized,  as  divisible  into  stages.  If,  there- 
fore, the  very  highest  grades  of  cholera,  arising  from  the 
very  highest  and  most  matured  malignancy  of  causation,  and 
therefore  productive  of  the  most  perfect  and  matured  cases 
of  it,  are  not  divisible  into  stadia; — with  what  show  of  phi- 
losophical plausibility  can  the  milder  grades  of  it,  arising 
from  causes  of  correspondent  mildness  of  maturity,  be  con- 
sidered as  scientifically  entitled  to  such  divisibility?  The 
truth  is,  that  from  the  very  mildest  grade  of  pathological 
condition  constituting  cholera,  to  the  very  highest,  which 
extinguishes  vitality  with  the  rapidity  of  lightning,  true  phi- 
losophy admits  no  division,  or  separation  of  this  malady, 
into  stages; — but  recognizes  it  as  being  one  and  the  same 
condition  of  depressed  and  congested  nervous  energy,  differ- 
ing exclusively  in  degree.  The  noxious  stimuli  originating 
all  the  milder  and  medial  grades  of  cholera,  very  conspicu- 
ously manifest  their  ravaging  actions,  very  exclusively  in 
general,  on  and  in  the  assimilative  department  of  vitality, 
destroying  the  tone  of  the  nutrient,  absorbing,  secreting,  and 


128 

exhaling  vessels, — even  in  the  mildest  grades,  when  charac- 
terized by  simple  diarrhoea,  and  occasional  vomiting: — and 
if  these  pathological  conditions  be  suffered  to  progress,  un- 
checked by  appropriate  medication,  the  mucous  and  serous 
fluids  soon  commence  running  out  profusely,  from  the  innu- 
merable toneless  and  patulous  extreme  vessels  of  the  alimen- 
tary region.  And  not  only  are  these  innumerable  myriads 
of  extreme  vessels  rendered  torpid  and  toneless  in  the  com- 
mencement of  this  disease,  even  in  the  mildest  cases,  but 
the  total  glandular  apparatus  of  this  extensive  department 
of  the  organization,  nearly  prostrated  to  the  prevention  of 
secretion, — and  in  all  the  medial  and  higher  grades  to  to- 
tal prevention.  Diarrhoea  therefore,  as  maintained  by  many 
among  the  ablest  physicians,  is  not  a  salutary  effort  of  na- 
ture, but  a  pathological  condition,  inevitably  and  rapidly 
running  the  organization  to  destruction, — if  not  forthwith 
subdued  by  philosophic  medication; — and  this  with  occa- 
sional nausea  and  vomiting,  are  to  be  considered  as  among 
the  incipient  effects  arising  from  the  deleterious  operation  of 
the  noxious  agents,  after  they  have  mastered  the  resisting 
powers  of  the  constitution,  and  attained  their  fixity  in  the 
nutrient  department  of  it.  It  is  of  the  highest  importance, 
therefore,  that  practitioners  should  recognize  diarrhoea  and 
vomiting  as  the  commencement  of  one,  and  one  only,  train 
of  pathological  phenomena,  which  run  to  the  rapid  extinction 
of  total  vitality,  unless  impeded  by  favourable  recuperation, 
or  appropriate  medication.  The  stage  of  collapse  has,  in 
fact,  already  commenced ; — the  stage  of  invasion  is  the  com- 
mencement of  the  stage  of  collapse ;  and  there  is  but  one 
stage  philosophically  belonging  to  this,  or  any  other  disease. 
The  pathological  phenomena  constitute  but  one  indivisible 
stage,  or  train  of  morbid  actions,  leading  to  the  death  of  the 
whole,  or  a  part  of  the  organization,  as  the  case  may  be,  un- 
less prevented  by  the  recuperative  excitations  of  the  con- 
servative powers,  or  appropriately  philosophic  medication. 
The  analysis  of  all  the  pathological  phenomena  characteriz- 
ing all  diseases  whatsoever,  however  locally  or  generally  af- 


129 

fecting  the  organization,  will  conclusively  prove  this  posi- 
tion. And  surely  when  we  appropriately  investigate,  and 
render  duly  philosophic  consideration  to  the  indubitable 
fact,  that  the  pathological  phenomena  primarily  characteriz- 
ing cholera,  when  unimpeded  by  favourable  recuperative  ex- 
citation, or  appropriate  medication,  not  only  so  rapidly  in- 
crease in  severity,  but  by  the  continued  and  unchecked  ra- 
vagings  of  the  morbific  agents,  have  superinduced  upon  them 
numerous  other  pathological  conditions  which  concomitantly 
run  the  organization  to  such  swift  destruction ; — surely  it 
must  be  admitted,  that  such  pathological  phenomena  are  not 
philosophically  divisible  into  stages.  Surely  the  pathologi- 
cal phenomena  constituting  this  disease,  therefore,  should  be 
more  philosophically  understood  and  appreciated,  than  they 
have  been;  and  their  separation  from  the  premonitory  symp- 
toms, (if  physicians  insist  on  recognizing  such  symptoms,) 
philosophically  effected;  and  not  blended  and  intermixed 
with  each  other  to  the  constitution  of  such  farrago  of  confu- 
sion, as  some  authors  have  made  out  of  them.  The  premo- 
nitory symptoms,  if  retained  at  all,  should  be  philosophically 
restricted,  exclusively,  to  such  manifestations  as  are  exhibited 
by  the  organization  during  thecontention  between  the  noxious 
agents  and  the  resisting  powers,  until  either  the  first  or  last 
have  gained  the  victory.  These  are  the  only  true  premoni- 
tory symptoms  of  cholera,  and  these  are  never  manifested  at 
all,  when  the  noxious  stimuli  are  applied  to  the  organization 
in  their  highest  state  of  malignant  concentration,  because 
they  pathologize  it  from  the  moment  of  invasion,  beyond  the 
power  of  contention,  or  any  available  recuperation.  We 
thus  designate  to  the  public  authorities  and  their  physicians, 
the  true  premonitory  symptoms,  if  they  must  be  retained  at 
all,  and  philosophically  exhibit  to  them  for  recognition,  the 
true  time  when  their  sanatory  exertions  may  be  crowned 
with  most  success;  for  at  this  time,  which  is  longer  or 
shorter,  according  to  the  power  of  the  noxious  agents,  or 
the  resisting  abilities  of  the  constitution,  the  noxious  agents 
might,  by  appropriately  philosophic  medication,   be  com- 


130 

pletely  vanquished  in  general,  and  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena consequently  prevented. 

Neither  the  symptoms  of  depression  of  nervous  energy 
made  on  the  organization  during  the  premonitory  period  of 
this  disease,  nor  the  resisting  or  recuperative  excitations 
raised  by  the  conservative  powers  for  removing  them,  and 
preventing  their  entrance  into  the  system,  need  here  be  enu- 
merated ; — because  they  will  be  readily  recognized  by  all 
philosophic  observers  and  practitioners  of  medicine.  Our 
present  object  is  to  show,  that  authors  and  practitioners  in 
general,  have  mistaken  the  true  pathological  phenomena  su- 
pervenient to  the  entrance  of  the  noxious  stimuli  into  the  or- 
ganization for  sanatary  phenomena;  and  to  show  the  baneful 
consequences  which  have  so  obviously  ensued  from  such 
misapprehension.  These  baneful  consequences  need  no  enu- 
meration here; — our  business  is  exclusively  with  the  philo- 
sophy of  medicine ; — on  the  true  comprehension  of  which, 
depends  our  ability  for  appropriately  designating  to  the  pub- 
lic authorities,  the  institution  of  the  most  efficient  measures, 
for  preventing  and  removing,  or  meliorating  their  causes, 
both  as  they  are  subject  to  our  observation  in  the  noxious 
agents,  or  their  sources,  and  in  the  constitutions  of  those  ex- 
posed to,  or  receptive  of  them. 
■  We  have  thus  indicated  the  true  premonitory,  symptoms 
of  cholera  to  the  recognition  of  all  intelligent  physicians  who 
may  have  predilection  for  them, — and  shown  that  the  true 
pathological  phenomena  constituting  it,  are  philosophically 
indivisible  into  stadia.  The  beneficial  consequences  which 
would  result  to  society,  from  recognizing  and  appreciating 
this  important  portion  of  the  philosophy  of  medicine  are  too 
easy  of  apprehension  to  need  enumeration. 

We  proceed  therefore  to  observe,  that  with  the  exception, 
perhaps,  of  the  sudor  anglicus,  no  other  pestilence  has  ever 
occurred  in  our  world,  which  generally  from  the  primary 
entrance  and  fixity  of  the  noxious  stimuli  causative  of  it, 
has  so  overwhelmingly  prostrated,  even  in  the  general  run 
of  the  mildest  cases  of  it,  such  an  extensive  department  of 


131 

the  organization.  The  noxious  agents,  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent,  strike  at  once,  even  generally,  in  the  mildest  cases, 
with  such  torpidity,  not  only  the  ganglionic  department  of 
the  nervous  organization  in  the  assimilative  regions  of  vitali- 
ty, but  the  very  cerebro-spinal  radicles  of  total  vitality  are 
affected  generally  with  such  torpid  and  paralytic  conditions, 
that  they  are  rendered  utterly  incapable  of  instituting  any 
actions,  having  any  similitude  to  favourable  recuperative  ex- 
citations. The  extremities  of  all  the  vessels,  of  all  the  nu- 
trient organs,  arc  quickly  opened  and  converted  into  sluices 
for  draining  off  the  waters  of  life;  and  the  sensorial  energies 
so  paralyzed,  that  they  are  completely  incapacitated,  even 
generally  in  the  mildest  grades  of  this  disease,  from  raising 
any  effective  recuperation ;  and  in  the  medial  grades  gene- 
rally, nothing  more  than  the  feeblest  and  most  inefficient  fe- 
brile or  inflammatory  recuperation,  in  concomitancy  with 
occasional  tremors,  twitchings,  and  cramps,  or  spasms  and 
convulsions,  which  are  nothing  more  nor  less  than  such  abor- 
tive attempts  as  are  made  by  the  torpid,  sensorial,  and  spi- 
nal radicles,  to  institute  more  favourable  recuperative  exci- 
tation. And  it  is  to  be  particularly  remarked  and  noted, 
that  this  position  is  unequivocally  demonstrated  by  an  ap- 
propriate consideration  of  the  fact,  that  in  the  highest  grades 
of  this  malady,  the  central  energies  of  the  organization  are 
totally  paralyzed,  to  the  preclusion  of  exciting  even  these 
abortive  spasmodic  manifestations  of  recuperation.  In  these 
highest  grades,  paralysis  of  the  total  organization  has  so  fix- 
edly and  irremovably  occurred,  that  the  central  radicles  of 
vitality  are  so  overwhelmed  by  the  noxious  stimuli, — that 
they  are  deprived  of  the  power  of  instituting  even  such  fee- 
ble movements  in  the  nutrient  region  of  vitality,  as  to  ena- 
ble the  extreme  vessels  to  pour  out  the  vital  fluids  by  vomit- 
ing or  purging.  In  such  cases,  confirmed  paralysis  has 
seized  the  organization, — a  total  occlusion,  or  blocking  up 
of  its  vital  powers  has  occurred,  and  total  death  either  takes 
place  instantaneously,  or,  if  it  be  feebly  protracted  a  few 
hours,  none  of  the  pathological  conditions  characterizing  the 


132 

milder  and  medial  grades  are  to  be  seen,  or  in  any  manner 
recognized; — and  if  in  any  such  cases,  recuperative  move- 
ments are  to  be  discerned  at  all,  they  will  be  exclusively 
manifested  in  the  last  gaspings  for  the  continuance  of  life,  by 
convulsions. 

These  observations  are  applicable  exclusively  to  the  very 
highest,  among  the  highest  grades  of  cholera,  when  termi- 
nating life  instantaneously,  or  nearly  so.  In  other  cases 
amongst  the  highest  grades,  but  not  quite  as  high,  where 
life  lasts  a  few  hours,  both  pathological  and  recuperative  phe- 
nomena will  be  manifested,— but  exclusively  to  philosophic 
observation.  The  intelligent  practitioner  will  readily  re- 
cognize, that  during  this  short  train  of  pathologic  ravaging, 
none  but  the  most  ineffective  and  unfavourable  recuperative 
excitations  can  be  raised  by  the  torpid  sensorial  radicles  of 
vitality.  In  fact,  all  the  recuperative  movements  discernible 
in  the  organization  when  thus  saturated  by  pathological  ra- 
vaging, consist  of  occasional  spasms  and  convulsions, — till 
toward  the  close  of  life,  when  they  cease  altogether,  from 
total  torpor  of  the  innervating  centres.  In  these  cases,  no 
febrile  or  inflammatory  movements  are  to  be  recognized  in 
the  circulations,  amounting  to  any  thing  in  the  similitude  of 
reaction; — for  the  pulse  is  either  more  or  less  feeble,  quick 
and  contracted,  or  slow,  laboured,  and  struggling,  from  the 
very  commencement  of  the  entrance  of  the  noxious  agents 
causing  such  pathological  conditions;  and  the  respiration 
equally  laborious,  oppressed,  and  struggling,  evincing  the 
nervous  foundations  of  the  organization  to  be  affected  by  the 
poisonous  stimuli  to  the  preclusive  extent  of  raising  any 
other,  than  spasmodic  or  convulsive  recuperation,  or  none 
at  all. 

We  have  made  these  few  observations  on  cholera  for  the 
purpose  of  showing  how  important  it  is,  in  estimating  the 
character  of  any  disease,  to  attend  to  its  remote  causative 
gradations,  as  well  as  the  causative  gradations  manifested  to 
philosophic  observation,  in  the  susceptibilities  of  the  consti- 
tutions of  those  exposed  to  the  noxious  agent,  or  agents  ori- 


138 

ginating  it.  We  have  made  them  also  for  the  purpose  of 
showing  the  true  premonitory  symptoms  of  this  disease,  in 
all  such  cases  as  exhibit  them  at  all; — and  for  showing  the 
true  pathological  phenomena  constituting  it,  and  separating 
them  as  they  ought  to  be,  from  the  premonitory  phenomena; 
and  finally,  for  showing  the  recuperative  phenomena  of  the 
conservative  powers,  and  separating  them  philosophically 
from  the  two  former  sets  of  phenomena.  The  indispensably 
philosopliic  necessity  of  all  this  showing,  will  not  be  denied 
or  disputed,  when  we  reflect  on  the  immensely  varied  gra- 
dations exhibited  by  this  epidemic  pestilence: — that  the 
premonitory  symptoms  are  only  conspicuously  apparent  to 
observation,  in  the  very  mildest  grades; — in  all  the  medial 
grades  much  less  so ; — and  in  the  highest,  not  at  all.  That 
the  pathological  phenomena  are  conspicuously  apparent  in 
all  the  milder,  medial,  and  many  of  the  highest  grades, — 
but  in  the  very  highest,  not  at  all ; — the  organization  being 
so  paralyzed  and  deadened  by  the  noxious  stimuli,  that  it  is 
incapable  of  action  sufficient  to  developeits  pathological  con- 
dition by  any  signals  that  can  be  recognized  by  any  other 
than  the  true  philosophic  practitioner: — and  that  the  recupe- 
rative phenomena  manifested  in  the  mildest  grades  are  the 
most  favourable; — in  the  medial  much  less  so; — and  in  the 
very  highest,  discernible  only  by  spasms  and  convulsions, 
either  occasionally  or  coexistently,  with  the  total  extinction 
of  vitality  ; — or  by  none  at  all,  that  can  be  rendered  exhibi- 
tive  to  ordinary  observation. 

From  all  this  showing,  we  derive  proof  demonstrative, 
that  the  nervous  system  is  the  one  and  only  system  of  man's 
organization; — for  we  see  that  the  death  of  the  circulations, 
respiration,  and  of  all  the  functional  operations,  pertaining 
to  all  the  organic  structures,  contained  in  the  extensive  de- 
partments of  assimilative  vitality,  may  take  place  prior  to 
the  total  extinction  of  animal  life, — as  is  evidenced  in  many 
cases  of  this  disease,  by  spasms  being  excited  by  the  senso- 
rial power  of  the  cerebral  centre,  long  after  the  total  cessa- 
tion of  vitality  in  the  nutrient  region  of  the  organization  ; — 
18 


134 

showing  conclusively,  to  philosophic  observation,  that  the 
cerebral  centre  of  the  organization  of  man  is  the  grand  focus 
of  radiation,  for  his  mortal  and  immortal  existence. 

The  baneful  consequences  which  ensue  to  the  public,  from 
being  told  by  their  physicians,  that  diarrhoea  and  vomiting, 
in  their  commencement,  are  to  be  considered  by  them  as  the 
phenomena  precedent  to  cholera,  Vv^e  hope  are  now  made  ap- 
parent to  their  observation; — and  that  it  is  therefore  of  the 
very  highest  importance  to  the  public  safety,  during  the  ra- 
vages of  this  epidemic,  that  their  physicians  should  recog- 
nize, and  philosophically  appreciate  and  discriminate  between 
the  true  pathological  and  premonitory  phenomena.  Although 
these  incipient  pathological  phenomena  may  in  general,  in 
their  very  commencement,  be  eliminated  from  the  system 
by  appropriate  medication,  in  constitutions  which,  previous 
to  the  reception  of  the  noxious  stimuli,  were  tolerably  sound 
and  vigorous,  yet  such  elimination  from  unsound  constitu- 
tions must  be  considered  totally  impracticable,  for  obvious 
reasons,  which  we  have  fully  presented  to  philosophic  ob- 
servation and  unavoidable  recognition. 

The  only  effective  procedure  to  be  forthwith  instituted  for 
saving  all  such  from  destruction,  is  simply  to  apprize  them 
of  the  indispensable  necessity  of  applying  for  the  best  medi- 
cal aid,  from  the  very  instant  of  the  commencement  of  the 
true  premonitory  symptoms.  The  least  weariness  or  lassi- 
tude of  feeling,  during  the  existence  of  this  pestilence,  should 
not  be  overlooked  or  disregarded ; — the  physician  should  be 
at  hand,  who  may  then,  nearly,  in  all  cases,  and  in  all  con- 
stitutions, by  appropriate  treatment,  vanquish  the  noxious 
agents,  and  prevent  their  actual  entrance  into  the  organiza- 
tion assailed,  and  thereby  preclude  the  occurrence  of  that 
pathological  phenomenon  diarrhoea,  which  inevitably  sends 
to  swift  destruction  all  those  affected  by  it,  who  were  pre- 
viously debilitated,  from  whatsoever  causes; — and  too  many 
of  those  who  were  previously  sound  and  vigorous,  in  de- 
spite of  the  most  appropriately  philosophic  medication.  When 
we  consider  that  this  incipient  pathological  phenomenon,— 


135 

this  simple  diarrhoea,  as  it  is  called  and  considered  by  many 
of  our  physicians,  when  designating  to  the  public  authorities 
the  premonitory  symptoms,  arises  from  the  toneless  patulous 
condition  of  the  innumerable  absorbing,  secreting,  and  ex- 
haling vessels,  of  the  alimentary  region  of  vitality,  the  im- 
portance of  discerning  and  distinguishing  the  true  pathologi- 
cal from  the  premonitory  phenomena,  need  not  be  insisted 
on.     Indeed  this  simple  diai-rhoea,  which  has  been  consider- 
ed by  a  number  of  our  distinguished  practitioners  as  a  pre- 
monitory symptom  of  cholera,  is  but  the  commencement  of 
the  toneless  condition,  frequently  in  fact,  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent,  of  the  total  organization,  but  in  all  cases  of  the  nu- 
trient organic  department,  and  if  not  rapidly  arrested,  leads 
forthwith  to  the  destruction  of  the  life  of  the  blood,  and  to 
the  thorough  arrest  of  all  the  vivifying  operations  pertaining 
to  the  alimentation  of  the  organization.     The  vital  fluid  is 
soon  separated  into  its  constituent  elements,  and  the  serous, 
saline,  and  albuminous  portions  of  it  are  profusely  poured 
from  the  system,  through  the  toneless  myriads  of  the  patu- 
lous extreme  vessels  of  the  alimonious  region; — consequent- 
ly, those  component  parts  of  the  vital  fluid,  most  easily 
running  into  the  putrefactive  fermentation,  being  drained 
from  the  system,  the  susceptibility  of  the  dead  body  to  cor- 
ruption is  very  much  retarded.     This  explains  the  reason  of 
the  slowness  of  the  body  in  becoming  assumptive  of  the  pu- 
trefactive process  after  death,  in  all  cases  of  this  disease, 
when  characterized  by  such  profuse  drainings  of  all  the  com- 
ponent parts  of  the  vital  fluid,  except  the  fibrin,  gelatin,  co- 
louring matter,  and  some  portion  of  the  albumen,  which  be- 
come stagnant  and  coagulative  in  the  large  and  deep-seated 
vessels  near  the  heart,  in  the  large  vessels  of  the  portal  re- 
gion, venous  synuses,  &c. 

This  separation  of  the  blood  into  its  component  parts,  and 
running  out  of  the  waters  of  life,  explains  the  reason  why 
cholera  in  all  its  grades  thus  characterized,  is  precluded  from 
bringing  into  its  list  of  pathological  phenomena  the  haemor- 
rhages and  black  vomitings  of  yellow  fevers,    malignant 


136 

typhus,  &c. — and  the  reason  why  they  do  not  occur  in  the 
highest  grades,  is  obviously  attributable  to  the  short  duration 
of  the  disease,  and  the  total  paralysis  of  the  organization.  It 
should  therefore  be  observed  and  philosophically  considered 
and  appreciated,  that  in  these  very  highest  grades  of  the  dis- 
ease, where  the  issue  of  the  waters  of  life  has  not  occurred 
at  all,  or  to  partial  extent,  that  putrefaction  of  the  body  may 
and  does  occur,  as  soon  after  death  as  in  bodies  dead  from 
the  most  overwhelming  grades  of  yellow  fevers; — and  in 
both  cases,  for  reasons  which  will  be  fully  recognized,  by 
the  philosophic  practitioner.  It  should  also  be  observed, 
that  the  extinction  of  vitality  in  these  highest  grades  of  cho- 
lera, is  at  once  complete,  thorough,  total ; — and  consequent- 
ly, that  the  dead  body  does  not  longer  retain  its  heat,  than 
it  does  in  bodies  dead  from  yellow  fever.  The  reason  of 
which  is,  that  in  the  more  ordinary  run  of  choleras  of  the 
mildest  and  medial  grades,  characterized  by  profuse  drain- 
ings  of  the  vital  fluids  from  the  nutrient  region  of  the  or- 
ganization ; — the  organic  life  of  that  region  is  totally  extinct 
long  before  the  animal  life  of  the  cerebral  centre,  which  for 
several  hours  in  many  cases,  continues  operative  to  such  ex- 
tent, as  to  prevent  the  body  from  passing  totally  under  the 
dominion  of  physical  laws. 

We  have  made  these  few  observations  on  cholera  for  the 
purposes  already  mentioned,  but  more  particularly  for  set- 
tling its  premonitory  symptoms  on  such  basis,  as  is  demand- 
ed by  true  philosophy.  We  have  assigned  to  these  premoni- 
tory phenomena,  (if  they  must  be  retained,)  their  legitimate- 
ly philosophic  location;  and  shown,  that  they  are  to  be  con- 
sidered pathological,  and  not  recuperative  phenomena,  for 
which  they  have  been  mistaken  by  many  distinguished  phy- 
sicians. 

But  we  have  now  further  to  observe,  that  no  disease  has 
ever  elicited  so  much  talk  about  premonitory  symptoms  as 
this  has  done,  amongst  the  majority  of  the  ablest  practitioners 
both  in  Europe  and  our  own  country,  except  a  very  few 
amongst  the  very  ablest  and  most  experienced  of  them,  who 


137 

can  see  no  tenable  philosophy  for  all  this  talk  about  such 
symptoms,  when  it  is  considered  that  the  perfection  of  the 
disease,  as  it  appears  in  its  highest  grades,  is  never  preceded 
by  any  recognizable  premonition.  The  truth  is,  that  there 
are  no  premonitory  symptoms  belonging  to  this,  or  any  other 
disease  whatever.  Strict  philosophy  requires,  that  all  the 
symptoms  should  be  considered  as  pathological  or  recupera- 
tive, from  the  very  instant  of  any  the  least  percipiency  of 
deviation  from  the  salutary  actions  of  the  organization.  For 
the  state  or  condition  of  healthy  vitality  is  not  a  forced  state. 
It  is  in  every  healthy  system,  a  calm,  equable  reception, 
flow  and  distribution,  of  pleasurable  and  salutary  sensibility, 
from  the  several  salutary  stimuli  ordained  by  Deity,  for  the 
creation  and  preservation  of  man's  organization ; — and  life 
can  never  be,  with  any  show  of  philosophy,  considered  as  a 
forced  state,  except  when  assailed  by  the  causative  agents  of 
disease.  From  this  instant,  the  true  pathological  phenomena 
commence,  consisting  in  general  of  more  or  less  sense  of  de- 
bility, dullness  of  sensation,  lassitude  and  weariness  of  feel- 
ing, inaptitude  for  motion,  &c. — accompanied,  or  sooner  or 
later  succeeded,  by  recuperative  excitations,  as  manifested 
in  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments  of  the  organi- 
zation, in  all  cases  in  which  the  vital  energies  are  not  over- 
whelmed by  the  causative  agents,  to  the  preclusive  extent  of 
exciting  such  recuperative  movements.  The  characteristics 
of  the  pathological  phenomena  will  of  course  exclusively  de- 
pend on  the  nature  and  action  of  the  causative  agents  on  the 
organization,  and  the  abilities  of  the  conservative  powers  for 
resisting  their  deleterious  operations;  and  the  recuperative 
phenomena  will  be  philosophically  characterized  in  corres- 
pondent manner.  However  slightly,  therefore,  the  causative 
agents  may  affect  any  department  of  the  organization  with 
debility  and  depression  of  its  nervous  energies,  and  however 
easily  they  may  be  resolved  and  eliminated  from  the  system 
by  the  vis  conservatrix  naturae,  or  appropriate  medication, 
still,  all  such  manifestations  of  nervous  depression  must  be 
philosophically  recognized  as  pathological  phenomena,  as 


138 

long  as  they  remain  thus  deleteriously  operative,  on  or  in, 
the  organization.  Philosophically  speaking,  therefore,  we 
cannot  recognize  premonitory  symptoms  as  scientifically 
pertaining  to  any  morbid  sensibilities  whatever,  and  they 
should  be  expunged  from  the  philosophy  of  medicine.  We 
have  restricted  them  as  above,  exclusively  where  they  ought 
to  be,  if  retained  at  all,  on  account  of  the  very  great  predi- 
lection of  the  profession  for  them  ; — but  we  reject  them  in 
toto, — because  totally  unphilosophical,  and  because  their  re- 
jection would  aid  the  cause  of  philanthropy  to  much  greater 
extent,  than  to  recognize  and  found  our. humane  exertions  on 
the  location  we  have  given  them,  in  consequence  of  the  pre- 
dilection so  eagerly  manifested  for  them  by  the  profession. 

Since  writing  the  above,  we  have  seen  and  attentively  stu- 
died and  treated  a  few  cases  of  cholera,  of  every  grade  except 
the  very  highest, — from  which  experience  we  derive  posi- 
tive confirmation  of  all  the  observations  we  have  made  re- 
specting the  philosophy  pertaining  to  this  epidemic — and 
derive  also  proof  positive,  that  from  analyzing  this,  or  any 
other  morbid  sensibility,  arising  from  any  other  morbid 
agents,  when  concentratingly  pathologizing  the  organization, 
we  unfold  forthwith  to  inevitable  recognition  the  universal 
philosophy  of  medicine,  as  it  should  be,  and  is  now,  and 
must  remain,  till  man  be  disenthralled  from  his  terrestrial — 
and  regenerated  for  his  everlasting  vitality. 

In  closing  our  observations  on  cholera,  we  may  remark, 
that  some  of  our  ablest  practitioners,  have  viewed  the  term 
cholera  for  this  disease,  as  a  gross  misnomer.  Nosology  is 
useless  to  the  talented  practitioner; — true  philosophy,  his 
unerring  beacon.  Cholera  is  a  misnomer,  and  philosophically 
considered, — every  disease  however  originated,  has  been 
erroneously  nosologized; — but  this  has  received  a  name  quite 
as  appropriate  as  any  of  the  other  morbid  sensibilities,  from 
any  of  the  other  causes.  The  ordinary  cases  of  cholera 
arising  sporadically,  during  the  hot  summer  months,  from 
ordinary  causes,  are  usually,  sooner  or  later,  after  the  de- 
pressions of  nervous  energy  constituting  them  have  been  re- 


139 

moved,  either  by  nature,  or  art,  characterized   by  copious 
discharges  of  bilious  matter,  more  or  less  vitiated. 

In  all  such  slight  deviations  from  the  salutary  standard  of 
action,  thus  characterized,  this  term  for  the  disease,  would 
on  superficial  examination,  appear  to  be  appropriately  philo- 
sophical ; — but,  whenever,  the  noxious  stimuli  act  depres- 
sively  of  nervous  power,  to  the  extent  of  diminishing  or  sus- 
pending not  only  the  biliary  secretion,  but  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree,  all  the  other  secretions,  and  depraving  the  ela- 
borating energies  of  the  organization  to  the  prevention  of 
eliminative  recuperation; — the  utter  worthlessness,  of  all 
such  nosologizing,  as  has  been  heretofore  exhibited  to  the 
world,  is  at  once  recognized  by  the  philosophic  practitioner 
of  medicine — and  by  him  exclusively. 

Similar  complaints  of  misnomers  have  been  often  made  by 
the  highest  oracles  of  the  profession,  whenever  epidemic 
yellow  fevers  have  been  committing  their  ravages  in  our 
cities.  Would  such  complaints  have  been  made  by  them 
under  the  recognition  of  the  true  philosophy  of  disease? 

Through  all  ages,  the  same  complaints,  from  the  same 
sources  have  been  made,  on  the  irruption  of  pestilential  epi- 
demics. The  sages  of  medicine  have  yielded  such  philoso- 
phy, as  they  had, — luxuriated  in  hypotheses,  and  resorted  to 
experimental  medication. 

Would  such  have  been  the  case  under  the  true  philosophy 
of  the  laws  regulating  the  salutary,  as  well  as  insalutary  ope- 
rations of  the  organization  of  man,  from  whatsoever  causes 
arising? 

No — true  philosophy  is  never  unsettled — steadfast  as  crea- 
tion's basis,  it  pursues  a  straight  onward  course  to  legitimate 
results; — to  harmony  of  sentim.ent,  concorilancy  of  action, 
and  to  community  of  philanthropic  exertions,  in  the  cause  of 
suffering  humanity. 

Spurious  philosophy — baseless  as  the  fabric  of  a  vision — 
restless  as  the  whirlwind, — is  unceasingly  luxuriating  in  the 
wildest  hypotheses,  and  sophistical  argumentations  for  sus- 
taining them ; — and  pursuing  an  infinity  of  devious  coursing. 


140 

all  leading  to  illegitimate  conclusions, — to  the  confirmation 
of  errors  and  prejudices,  and  to  interminable  wranglings, 
between  brethren  of  the  same  profession. 

To  proceed  in  the  illustration  of  our  philosophy  beyond 
all  contradiction,  we  shall  examine  a  few  of  the  highest 
grades,  of  a  long  catalogue  of  diseases,  which  have  always 
been  considered  and  denominated  nervous  by  the  nosologists. 
We  have  proved  that  true  philosophy  utterly  rejects  the  re- 
cognition of  premonitory  phenomena,  as  pertaining  to  any 
diseases  whatever: — our  examination,  therefore,  must  be  ex- 
clusively confined  to  the  causative  agents,  their  pathological 
consequences,  and  recuperative  excitations  characterizing 
them.  And  here  it  is  forthwith  to  be  observed  and  noted, 
that  all  the  medical  philosophers  and  nosologists,  who  have 
written  on  this  extensive  class  of  morbid  sensibilities,  have 
uniformly  blended  and  confounded  the  pathological  and  re- 
cuperative phenomena  together,  in  one  chaotic  jumble, — or 
rather,  particularly,  in  all  their  highest  grades,  have  assigned 
all,  or  nearly  all,  their  characteristic  manifestations  to  the 
pathological  department.  They  have  invariably  considered 
the  irregular  and  tumultuous  agitations  of  the  nervous  orga- 
nization, as  exhibited  to  observation  in  the  highest  grades 
of  these  diseases,  by  twitchings,  cramps,  spasms,  and  con- 
vulsions, as  exclusively  pathological  phenomena; — when  in 
truth,  philosophy  demonstrably  proclaims  them  to  be  nothing 
more  nor  less  than  recuperative  phenomena; — abortive  in 
general,  we  admit,  but  such  and  such  only,  as  the  percipient 
centre  of  the  organization,  under  the  depressive  efiects  of 
the  true  pathologfcal  phenomena  constituting  these  diseases, 
may  possess  the  power  of  instituting.  Let  us  examine  a 
few  of  these  diseases : — in  the  first  place,  tetanus,  for  in- 
stance, one  of  the  highest  grades  of  the  class  idiopathically 
or  traumatically  considered  ; — our  business  is  to  indicate  the 
true  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena ; — to  separate 
them,  and  assign  them  their  respective  provinces  in  the  phi- 
losophy of  medicine.  The  conservative  or  resisting  power 
of  the  organization,  will  not  in  this  philosophical  age  of  me- 


141 

dicinc,  be  denied  by  any  of  our  most  talented,  experienced, 
and  philosophic  practitioners.  They  will  readily  recognize, 
and  philosophically  separate,  the  true  pathological  conditions 
constituting  idiopathic  tetanus,  from  the  recuperative  excita- 
tions raised  by  the  conservative  powers  ; — we  shall,  there- 
fore, not  examine  and  enumerate  them,  but  bestow  a  few 
observations  on  the  traumatic  kind,  because  characterized  by 
manifestations  of  deeper  depressions  and  congestions  of  ner- 
vous energy,  and  more  intensely  and  uncontrollably  ardent 
recuperative  excitations.  What  then  are  the  pathological 
phenomena  constituting  the  morbid  sensibilities  characteriz- 
ing traumatic  tetanus  ?  We  can  be  at  no  loss  to  answer  this 
question,  when  we  consider  philosophically  the  nature  of 
the  lesion,  operating  in  its  effects,  to  the  production  of  this 
species  of  tetanus.  A  large  nail,  for  example,  penetrates 
either  through,  or  nearly  through  the  foot,  lacerating  thou- 
sands of  nerves  in  the  cutaneous,  tendinous,  and  other  com- 
pact nervous  structures, — the  inevitable  consequence  of 
which  must,  in  general,  be  in  susceptible  constitutions,  par- 
ticularly in  the  hottest  seasons  of  the  hottest  climates,  pro- 
ductive of  the  deepest  depression  and  congestion  of  the  vital 
energies,  in  and  surrounding  the  lacerated  region,  when  not 
favourably  cured,  either  by  nature  or  appropriate  medica- 
tion. It  seems  never  to  have  been  duly  considered,  that  the 
ragged  and  jagged  tearing  asunder  of  so  many  thousands  of 
nerves,  and  compact  structural  condensations  of  nervous 
power,  must  of  necessity,  originate  the  very  highest  grade 
of  morbid  sensibility,  under  the  circumstances  mentioned. 
But  it  seems  only  necessary  now  to  mention  this  undeniable 
fact,  to  instantly  insure  its  admission  and  philosophic  appre- 
ciation. The  morbid  sensibility  thus  induced  then,  in  and 
around  the  lacerated  region,  is  of  the  most  concentratedly 
congestive  description.  The  lacerated  structures  are  all,  not 
only  supplied  with,  but  exclusively  composed  of,  myriads  of 
nerves,  which  have  consequently  become  receptive  of  mor- 
bid sensibility,  of  the  most  overwhelming  description. 
19 


142 

When  these  overwhelming  pathological  phenomena  have 
originated  abortive  spasmodic  recuperation,  in  what  manner 
can  they  be  eliminated  from  the  organization  ?  The  lacerated 
region  has  dried  up,  and  apparently  healed,  without  the  su- 
pervention of  such  inflammatory  recuperation,  as  is  in  all 
such  cases,  indispensably  necessary  to  the  production  of  sup- 
puration, sufficiently  profuse  to  insure  the  elimination  of  the 
morbid  sensibility,  and  prevent  the  occurrence  of  this  horri- 
ble malady.  Under  such  circumstances,  in  susceptible  or- 
ganizations, exposed  to  the  morbid  operation  of  excessive 
heat,  in  favoured  localities,  traumatic  tetanus,  in  some  form 
or  other,  will  be  most  certainly  manifested  to  observation. 

In  what  departments  of  the  organization  then,  when  thus 
deeply  pathologized,  are  we  to  look  for,  or  expect  such  sana- 
tary  exertions  of  the  conservative  powers,  as  may  prove  ef- 
fectual to  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities? 

If  the  resisting  powers  in,  and  surrounding  the  lacerated 
region,  have  proved  inadequate  to  elimination;  or,  if  it  has 
not  been  effected  through  appropriate  medication,  and  we 
have  confirmed  tetanus  arrayed  before  us  in  all  its  horrorsj 
the  resisting  powers  should  be  medicated  to  the  production 
of  such  inflammatory  and  febrific  recuperation  as  may,  when 
aided  by  appropriate  regulation  of  such  salutary  recupera- 
tion, resolve  and  expel  the  pathological  conditions  from  the 
organization,  through  the  appropriate  secreting  and  excreting 
emunctories.  The  nervous  radicles  of  the  cerebro-spinal 
regions,  the  grand  originators  and  distributors,  through  their 
messengers  the  nerves,  of  all  the  varied  powers,  required  for 
the  institution  and  continuance  of  all  the  varied  functional 
operations,  of  the  varied  organic  structures,  compositive  of 
the  total  organization,  must  be  medicated  in  such  philoso- 
phic manner,  as  to  be  rendered  capacitative  to  the  origina- 
tion and  distribution  of  such  nervous  power  as  may  be  re- 
quired, for  the  production  of  febrific  recuperation  in  the  res- 
piratory and  circulatory  departments  of  the  organization,  for 
resolving  and  eliminating  such  intensely  morbid  sensibility 
as  characterizes  this  and  all  other  diseases  of  highest  grades^ 


143 

from  whatever  causes,  when  overwhelming  the  nervous 
energies  of  the  system,  totally  to  the  preclusion  of  such  na- 
tural and.favourable  recuperative  excitations,  as  are  indispen- 
sably necessary  to  effect  the  elimination  of  all  morbid  sensi- 
bilities whatever. 

But  the  origins  of  vitality  in  this  disease  are  so  intensely 
percipient  of  the  injury  sustained  by  the  nervous  structures 
of  the  lacerated  region,  that  all  the  recuperative  excitations 
raised  by  them  are  exclusively  characterized  by  spasms  or 
convulsions,  or  both,  so  that  the  pathological  and  recupera- 
tive phenomena  are  equally  operative  to  concomitant  con- 
gestions of  nervous  power,  resembling  the  congestions  both 
pathological  and  recuperative,  characterizing  many  of  the 
highest  grades  of  cholera,  or  other  plagues.  Tetanus  has  no 
fever;  and  never  was,  or  ever  will  be  cured,  in  any  other 
way,  than  by  medicating  the  innervating  centres  of  the  pa- 
thologized  organization  to  the  production  of  more  or  less 
inflammatory  and  febrific  recuperation,  according  to  the 
exigencies  required  by  the  philosophy  of  the  morbid  sensi- 
bility constituting  it.  It  is  therefore  of  the  highest  importance 
that  practitioners  of  medicine  should  thoroughly  understand 
the'philosophy,  which  should  be  put  in  thorough  requisition, 
for  the  successful  treatment  of  tetanus  and  many  other  spas- 
modic diseases,  (as  they  are  erroneously  nosologized,)  arising 
from  causes  productive  of  equal,  or  more  highly  intense  and 
aggravated  morbid  sensibilities.  There  is  therefore  no  febri- 
fic recuperation  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  in  tetanus, 
and  no  inflammatory,  except  such  as  arises  in  the  capillary 
circulation  of  the  morbid  lesion,  and  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  radicles  of  innervation,  from  the  ardent  ex- 
ertions made  by  them,  for  the  production  of  more  favourable 
recuperation.  The  sensorial  powers,  both  of  the  cerebral 
and,  (whatever  may  be  said  to  the  contrary,)  spinal  radicles 
of  the  organization,  percipient  of  the  morbid  sensibilities, 
originated  in  the  lacerated  region,  are  so  intensely  and  ai'- 
dently  exerted,  that  their  recuperative  efforts  are  confined 
exclusively  to  spasms  and  convulsions,  which,  if  not  con- 


144 

trolled  and  subdued  by  appropriately  philosophic  medica- 
tion, must  inevitably  terminate  vitality.  To  subdue,  there- 
fore, these  spasms  and  convulsions,  and  thereby  extend  the 
recuperative  excitations  to  the  circulations,  secretions  and 
excretions,  the  only  legitimate  outlets  through  which  all  pa- 
thological phenomena  are  to  be  eliminated,  we  must,  after 
due  preparation  of  the  system,  by  such  appropriately  debili- 
tating medications,  as  are  particularly  demanded  by  the  spe- 
cific exigencies  of  the  case,  exhibit  antispasmodic  and  nar- 
cotic remedies  in  any  quantities,  no  matter  how  great,  which 
may  be  found  philosophically  necessary  to  subdue  the  spasms 
and  convulsions,  and  extend  the  recuperative  excitations  to 
the  requisite  standard  of  constitutional  operation  for  effecting 
elimination;  without  which,  no  case  of  traumatic  or  idiopa- 
thic tetanus  ever  was,  or  will  be  cured.  This  is  the  amount 
of  such  medical  philosophy  as  should  be  put  in  full  requisi- 
tion for  successfully  treating  traumatic  tetanus,  and  many 
other  diseases  of  equal  or  superior  intensity  of  pathological 
and  recuperative  congestions. 

It  is  not  so  much  therefore,  owing  to  the  positively  in- 
curable nature  of  traumatic  tetanus,  and  many  other  of  the 
highest  grades  of  diseases,  from  whatever  causes  originating, 
that  physicians  are  in  general,  so  unsuccessful  in  their  treat- 
ment of  them; — as  it  is  to  their  lack  of  true  philosophy,  to 
direct  them  to  the  adoption  of  the  true  therapeutical  indica- 
tions. We  have  indicated  in  general  terms,  the  nature  of 
such  pathological  and  recuperative  philosophy,  as  charac- 
terizes tetanus ; — and  we  may  now  further  add,  that  nothing 
more  is  necessary  to  the  thorough  understanding  of  it,  than 
to  simply  reflect  on  the  nature  of  the  consequences  which 
may  so  easily  ensue,  particularly  in  hot  climates,  in  suscep- 
tible constitutions,  from  a  nail  run  through  the  foot,  and 
consequently  dividing  and  tearing  asunder  the  many  and  va- 
rious structures  composing  it; — lacerating  many  thousands 
of  nerves, — the  nerves  of  the  true  skin,  of  the  muscles 
and  their  fasciae,  and  tendons,  which  are  nothing  more 
nor  less,  than  compact  condensations  of  nervous  power, 


145 

for  strength  and  motion; — of  the  nerves  of  the  ligaments, 
burscc  mucosre,  cartilages,  membranes, — membranes  covering 
the  bones,  and  the  bones  themselves ; — which  are  all  more 
or  less  compact  condensations  of  nervous  energy,  for  purposes 
too  obvious  to  require  enumeration.     In  the  state  of  health, 
these  variedly  nervous  structures,  for  reasons  equally  obvious, 
are  more  or  less  insensible; — but  when  wounded,  often  as- 
sumptive of  the  most  exquisite  sensibility,  and  of  pathologi- 
cal phenomena,  characterized  by  the  utmost  intensity  of 
pain  and    torture; — evincing  demonstrably   their  compact 
nervous  organization.   Surely  this  simple  consideration  must 
needs  lead  every  reflecting  mind,  direct  to  the  recognition  of 
the  intensely  congestive  nature  of  the  pathology  of  tetanus. 
If  we  further  reflect,  that  all  the  nervous  structures  thus  la- 
cerated, on  account  of  their  excessive  sensibility,  are  adverse 
to  the  institution  of  such  favourable  inflammatory  recupera- 
tion as  is  required  for  eliminating  them.orbid  sensibilities  by 
suppuration,  and  thereby  preventing  the  disease; — surely 
we  cannot  help  understanding  with  equal  plainness,  the  na- 
ture of  the  recuperative  phenomena  instituted  by  the  radical 
powers  of  the  organization,  when  the  nervous  energies  in 
and  surrounding  the  lacerated  region,  become  incompetent 
to  effect  the  resolution  and  elimination  of  the  pathological 
phenomena.     In  this  and  all  other  local  injuries,  inflicted  on 
any  department  of  the  organization,  nature  first  raises  such  irri- 
tative or  inflammatory  recuperation  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  morbid  lesion  as  she  is  capable  of,  for  expelling  the 
morbid  sensibility  by  suppuration  ; — and  is  frequently  suc- 
cessful, even  without  medication,  when  structures  favourable 
to  suppuration  are  wounded,  or  otherwise  pathologized; — 
but  the  injured  parts  now  under  consideration,  being  ad- 
verse to  suppuration,  are  frequently  unrelieved  by  such  local 
recuperation,  though  struggling  to  effect  it,  for  several  days 
before  the  true  pathological  conditions  are  formed,  which 
call  for  the  aid  of  the  general  or  radical  powers  of  the  orga- 
nization.    Under  such  untoward  circumstances,  all  the  rea- 
sons why  the  innervating  centres  become  so  intensely  perci- 


146 

pient  of  the  unrelieved  congestion  of  the  vital  energies  of  the 
lacerated  region,  and  act  so  ardently,  as  to  transcend  the 
powers  required  of  them  for  the  production  of  eliminative 
recuperation,  and  therefore  expend  their  energies  exclusively 
in  the  excitation  of  spasms  and  convulsions,  are  philosophi- 
cally self-evident.  Or  if  the  vital  radicles  of  the  organiza- 
tion, while  thus  intensely  percipient,  and  spasmodically  re- 
cuperative, extend  their  powers  at  all  to  the  true  recupera- 
tive departments  of  the  system,  such  powers  of  course  will 
be  evidenced  in  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  depart- 
ments, in  such  an  agitated  and  tumultuous,  hurried  and 
flurried,  and  spasmodic  manner,  as  is  correspondent  with 
their  own  convulsive  operations.  Surely  the  philosophy 
therefore  required  for  the  most  eflfective  treatment  of  such 
fixed,  and,  by  nature,  irremovable,  pathological,  and  recupe- 
rative congestions,  is  sufficiently  apparent,  and  summarily 
comprehended  in  what  we  have  said  above. 

This  philosophy  was  put  in  thorough  operation  during 
the  treatment  of  a  case  of  unusually  aggravated  traumatic  te- 
tanus, in  November,  1829,  in  consultation  with  our  esteem- 
ed friend.  Dr.  S.  Mordecai.  This  case  occurred  and  rushed 
to  the  development  of  all  its  characteristic  phenomena  with 
uncommon  celerity, — in  a  strong  and  previously  healthy, 
vigorous,  and  athletic,  negro-man,  about  thirty  years  of  age. 
He  had  received,  ten  or  twelve  days  previous  to  the  mani- 
festations of  his  disease,  a  punctured  wound  in  one  of  his 
feet,  from  a  nail,  which  had  been  neglected,  and  suffered  to 
heal  spontaneously,  or  rather  dry  up,  without  appropriate  se- 
cretion for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibility  sequent  to  the 
laceration  of  the  nervous  structures. 

He  was  presented  for  treatment  with  the  following  essen- 
tially characteristic  phenomena.  His  abdominal  muscles 
were  tense  and  rigidly  contracted; — organs  of  deglutition 
spasmed,  nearly  to  the  preclusion  of  swallowing; — maxil- 
lary and  temporal  muscles  affected  with  such  spastic  rigid- 
ity as  to  nearly  close  his  jaws, — and  quite  so,  during  the 
continuance   of  his  spasms; — his  head  and  trunk  stiff  and 


147 

fixed,  and  all  the  flexor  and  extensor  muscles  of  his  organi- 
zation, so  equally  aflected  with  permanent  spastic  rigidity^ 
that  his  whole  system  was  perfectly  rigid,  stiff,  and  straight, 
to  the  thorough  constitution  of  true  traumatic  tetanus, — at- 
tended with  all  its  liighest  and  most  alarming  symptoms^ 
great  tightness  and  contraction  of  the  thoracic  muscles,  vio- 
lent pain  and  contraction  at  the  anterior  extremity  of  his 
sternum,  convulsively  darting  to  his  spinal  region; — abdo- 
minal muscles  violently  retracted; — countenance  hideously 
distorted; — eyes  immovably  fixed  in  their  orbits,  &c. 

Here  were  pathological  and  recuperative  congestions  of 
the  very  highest  concentration,  and  totally  irremovable  by 
any  other  than  the  most  potent  and  appropriate  medication, 
most  perseveringly  and  untiringly  persisted  in.  The  bite  of 
the  most  venomous  serpent,  or  rabid  animal,  succeeded  by 
the  most  copious  absorption  of  their  poisons  into  the  circula- 
tion, could  not  have  pathologized  the  organization  to  more 
certain  destruction,  than  would  have  befallen  our  patient, 
without  appropriately  philosophic  medication. 

In  this  case  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments 
of  the  organization  were  affected  with  such  tumultuous  ner- 
vous agitation  as  characterizes  genuine  hydrophobia;  and 
which  has  often  been  mistaken  for  fever, — without  however 
manifesting  any  one  of  the  characteristics  of  febrific  recu- 
peration. Our  patient  was  excessively  anxious  and  alarmed 
about  his  situation,  as  he  had  often  seen  the  disease,  and 
never  known  it  to  have  been  cured.  He  was  so  certain  that 
death  must  inevitably  be  the  issue  of  his  case,  that  he  posi- 
tively refused,  and  for  a  long  time  persisted  in  refusing,  to 
attempt  to  take  any  medicine;  alleging  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  him  to  swallow  any  thing; — evincing,  in  fact,  nearly 
the  same  repugnance  to  such  attempt,  as  the  hydrophobic 
patient. 

With  much  difficulty  we  surmounted  this  obstacle  in  the 
case,  and  commenced  our  treatment  with  copious  bleeding, 
which  was  appropriately  repeated  several  times  during  the 
first  seven  days  from  the  commencement  of  treatment^ — 


148 

during  which  time  he  was  blistered  from  the  nape  of  the 
neck  to  the  sacrum,  and  extensively  on  the  abdomen,  and 
blisters  dressed  with  camph.  mercur.  ointment: — he  was 
thoroughly  rubbed  every  two  or  three  hours,  regularly  day 
and  night,  with  the  most  pungent  and  stimulant  liniments, 
and  his  bowels  were  kept  regularly  soluble  by  castor  oil, 
and  injections  of  oil  of  turpentine,  though  given  with  great- 
est difficulty.  A  deep  incision  was  also  made  in  place  of  the 
wound  in  his  foot,  and  dressed  with  lint  steeped  in  spirit  of 
turpentine,  and  a  cataplasm  of  mustard  saturated  with  aqua 
ammon. 

In  addition  to  this  medication,  we  gave  him  from  the 
commencement  of  treatment,  during  the  two  first  days,  two 
grains  and  a  half  of  opium  and  five  of  calomel; — the  next 
two  days,  four  of  opium  and  ten  of  calomel;  and  the  three 
next,  five  of  opium  and  ten  of  calomel,  every  three  hours  re- 
gularly day  and  night;  which,  on  the  expiration  of  the  se- 
venth day,  resulted  in  the  production  of  a  highly  agitated 
and  tumultuous  species  of  salivation,  but  with  little,  or  no 
alleviation,  of  pathological  or  recuperative  congestion.  We 
therefore  omitted  the  calomel,  and  gave  him  ten  grains  of 
opium  every  three  hours  during  the  next  four  days; — and 
between  each  dose  of  opium,  a  table-spoonful  of  musk  mix- 
ture, from  a  six  ounce  phial,  containing  three  drachms  of 
musk,  and  three  of  laudanum; — at  this  time  very  partial  re- 
laxation of  spasm  in  extremities  was  discerned;  and  we  gave 
him  fifteen  grains  of  opium  every  third  hour  during  the  two 
next  days  and  nights,  which  produced  a  little  more  relaxa- 
tion of  the  contraction  in  the  extremities; — but  his  head, 
trunk,  and  neck  continued  affected  with  unabated  spastic  ri- 
gidity. We  therefore  gave  twenty  grains  every  third  hour 
during  the  next  thirty-six  hours,  which  produced  further  re- 
laxation of  spasm  in  the  extremities,  and  some  relaxation  of 
the  spasms  of  the  head,  neck,  and  trunk; — to  insure  our  vic- 
tory, we  now  gave  thirty  grains  every  fourth  hour,  increas- 
ing also  the  musk  and  laudanum,  which  had  been  regularly 
continued  from  the  commencement  of  our  opium  course,  as 


149 

well  as  all  the  other  remediate  measures  first  enumerated; — 
until,  on  the  evening  of  the  seventeenth  day  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  case,  the  spasms  and  convulsive  agitations 
of  his  system  wore  resolved,  with  the  exception  of  the  spas- 
modic rigidity  of  his  abdominal  muscles,  which,  by  a  conti- 
nuance of  the  same  remediate  course  for  two  or  three  days 
longer,  were  also  resolved; — the  congestive  recuperation  al- 
layed, and  the  pathologized  condition  of  the  organization  so 
far  meliorated,  that  the  nervous  radicles  of  vitality  were  re- 
stored to  such  salutary  condition,  as  enabled  them  to  trans- 
mit the  requisite  vital  influence  to  the  circulations,  for  effect- 
ing elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibility  from  the  organiza- 
tion, through  the  appropriate  secretory  and  excretory  depart- 
ments of  it. 

It  may  be  remarked  in  this  case,  that  although  the  first 
course  of  calomel  and  opium  was  in  nowise  operative  to  the 
relaxation  of  spastic  recuperation,  yet  philosophy  recognized 
it  as  instrumental  in  the  jjroduction  of  very  considerable 
amelioration  in  anticipation; — as  it  elicited  a  much  more 
hurried  and  tumultuous  condition  of  the  respiratory  and  cir- 
culatory departments  of  the  organization,  and  a  state  of  spu- 
rious salivation  participative  of  correspondently  tumultuous 
characteristics; — all  evincing,  that  the  obstacles  to  the  inci- 
pient institution  of  the  salutary  recuperative  excitations  of 
the  conservative  powers,  were  in  their  progress  to  removal. 

To  thoroughly  allay,  therefore,  the  inordinate  and  convul- 
sive operations  of  the  nervous  centres,  and  enable  them  to 
extend  their  powers  to  the  production  of  salutary  eliminative 
recuperation,  further  bleeding,  and  more  diligent  frictions 
were  used,  and  thorough  purgation  by  castor  and  terebin- 
thinate  oils  persisted  in,  for  tranquillizing  the  organization 
down  to  the  standard  required,  to  enable  it  to  act  effectively 
curative  of  the  morbid  sensibilities, — and  our  main  medicat- 
ing agent,  opium,  was  therefore  given,  and  gradually  in- 
creased, to  an  extent  which  may  appear  enormous  to  most 
practitioners,  but  not  greater  than  the  true  medicating  philo- 
sopliy  legitimately  pertaining  to  such  concentrated  patholo- 
20 


150 

glcal  and  recuperative  congestions,  rendered  positively  and 
indispensably  necessary. 

And  here  it  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  observe,  that  the 
successful  treatment  of  the  above  related  unusually  severe 
case  of  traumatic  tetanus — a  disease  very  seldom  cured — 
presents  us  with  a  satisfactory  and  beautiful  demonstration 
of  the  modus  operandi  of  appropriately  powerful  and  philo- 
sophic medication,  in  resolving  the  pathological  and  recupe- 
rative congestions,  characterizing  many  of  the  highest  grades 
of  diseases,  to  such  extent  as  to  enable  the  conservative 
powers  to  institute  the  requisite  febrific  and  inflammatory 
excitations,  for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities  through 
their  legitimate  emunctories. 

Practitioners  of  medicine  in  all  ages  have  been  in  utter 
darkness  respecting  the  philosophy  pertaining  to  the  nature 
and  characteristics  of  the  highly  concentrated  pathological 
and  recuperative  congestions,  constituting  not  only  tetanus, 
but  all  other  diseases  of  highest  grades,  from  whatsoever 
causes  arising;  and  however  successful  some  of  our  most  ta- 
lented and  experienced  physicians  may  have  at  times  been, 
in  the  treatment  of  such  diseases, — they  have  not  been  so, 
under  the  knowledge  and  guidance  of  the  true  philosophy 
pertaining  to  them. 

The  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  pertaining 
to  traumatic  tetanus,  it  is  to  be  observed,  and  particularly 
noted,  are  not  only  originated,  but  continued,  by  mechanical 
causes; — by  solid  substances  dividing,  compressing,  lacerat- 
ing and  wounding,  in  some  way  or  other,  the  nervous  struc- 
ture of  some  part  or  parts  of  the  nervous  organization; — 
consequently,  there  is  no  absorption  of  deleterious  matter, 
either  in  a  liquid  or  gaseous  state,  to  render  the  innervating 
centres  positively  immedicable  to  the  elimination  of  the 
morbid  sensibilities,  through  the  legitimate  emunctories. 
Philosophy,  therefore,  does  not  proclaim  the  incurability  of 
traumatic  tetanus  to  be  by  any  means  so  inevitably  grounded, 
as  those  highest  grades  of  morbid  sensibilities  arising  from 
copious  absorptions  of  virulent  poisons,  either  of  the  animal 


151 

or  vegetable  kind; — for  these,  frequently,  pathologize  the 
organization  to  irrecuperation, — to  instant  or  inevitably  ra- 
pid destruction. 

We  thus  unfold  to  practitioners  such  philosophy  as  will 
certainly  enable  them  to  institute  such  treatment  as  will,  if 
appropriately  persisted  in,  generally  eradicate  the  morbid 
sensibilities  constituting  idiopathic  tetanus  from  the  organi- 
zation, when  not  arising  from  such  overwhelmingly  delete- 
rious remote  causes, — from  such  virulently  poisonous  mias- 
mata as  are  frequently  engendered  by  putrefaction,  in  the 
densely  populated  localities  of  miasmatic  regions,  and  ren- 
dered inevitably  operative  to  the  pathologization  of  the  or- 
ganization, totally  beyond  the  power  of  recuperation,  either 
by  the  efforts  of  nature  or  medication.  Traumatic  tetanus, 
therefore,  when  occurring  in  constitutions  previously  sound 
and  vigorous,  we  see,  may  be  cured  by  appropriate  medica- 
tion persisted  in  to  the  extent  required  by  the  true  philoso- 
phy pertaining  to  the  pathologized  condition  of  the  organi- 
zation;— and  we  recognize  with  equal  facility,  the  total  phi- 
losophy pertaining  to  the  idiopathic  kind,  which  is  indispen- 
sably necessary  to  be  put  in  thorough  requisition  for  elimi- 
nating the  morbid  sensibHities  constituting  it, — and  that  it 
may  with  certainty  lead  us  to  the  institution  of  successful 
medication  for  all  such  cases  occurring  in  healthy  constitu- 
tions, when  not  remotely  arising  from  poisonous  stimuli 
pathologically  saturating  the  organization  to  the  total  extent 
of  irrecuperation. 

Both  kinds  of  tetanus,  therefore,  should  be  erased  from 
the  opprobrious  list  of  diseases,  because  not  arising  from 
causes  which  pathologize  the  organization  beyond  redemp- 
tion, except  under  the  circumstances  which  have  been  just 
mentioned  and  explained. 

We  may  consider  ourselves  as  having  now  in  palpable 
view  the  philosophy  of  the  causes  which  render  traumatic 
tetanus  by  appropriately  potent  medication  so  often  curable, 
when  occurring  in  sound  constitutions,  and  so  often  incura- 
ble in  constitutions  previously  debilitated  from  any  causes. 


152 

And  we  may  consider  ourselves  as  having  fully  in  view  the 
causes  which  render  all  diseases  arising  from  all  causes  that 
are  subject  to  appreciable  examination  to  much  extent,  cura- 
ble or  incurable.  To  this  conclusion  we  are  inevitably  con- 
ducted, by  considering  what  should  never  for  a  moment  be 
lost  sig'^t  of  by  medical  investigators,  viz.  that  the  central 
radicles  of  innervation  in  the  healthy  organization  are  un- 
ceasingly operative  in  preventing  the  intromission  of  noxious 
agents,  by  imparting  to  respiration  and  arterial  circulation, 
such  nervous  powers  as  are  respectively  required  by  them 
for  animalizing,  vivifying,  and  elaborating  all  the  various 
structures  to  their  various  healthy  functional  operations. 
These  two  grand  agents  of  the  nervous  centres,  vs^hile  salu- 
tarily supplied  with  their  appropriate  powers,  are  incessantly 
engaged  in  elaborating  the  energies  of  the  total  organization 
to  the  reception  of  appropriate  stimuli  from  without  and 
within  its  own  domain;  elaborating  them  to  the  selection  and 
reception  of  salutary  stimuli  from  without,  and  within  the 
organization,  through  its  absorbent  nervous  power,  exclu- 
sively inherent  and  operative  in  the  capillary  circulation, 
throughout  all  its  varied  organic  structures,  in  the  tegumen- 
tary  envelopes  within,  and  vvithoirt,and  in.its  various  paren- 
chymatous structures.  The  Capillary  and  venous  circulations 
of  the  healthy  organization  are  therefore  constantly  elaborated 
to  an  elective  attraction,  for  salutary  stimuli,  by  the  nervous 
centres  rendering  themselves  operative  to  such  effect,  through 
their  vivifying  apparatus  of  respiration  and  arterial  circula- 
tion. They  are  thus  rendered  elective  to  appropriate  stimuli 
from  the  physical  creations,  and  to  all  the  variously  appro- 
priate stimuli  elaborated,  in  consequence  of  such  election, 
throughout  its  variously  structured  vital  domain. 

Health,  therefore,  or  an  elective'  attraction  for  salutary 
stimuli,  consists  of  the  constant  absorption,  transmission,  and 
distribution  of  appropriate  salutary  stimuli  to  the  radical 
nervous  centres,  which  distribute  them  in  appropriate  quan- 
tities to  their  vivifying,  respiratory,  and  circulatory  appara- 
tus, for  elaborating  all  the  varied  energies  required  by  the 


153 

varied  organic  structures,  compositive  of  the  total  organiza- 
tion. It  is  therefore  obvious,  that  as  noxious  agents  must 
overpower  this  elective  attraction,  to  effect  their  entrance 
into  any  department  of  the  organization,  they  will  proceed 
to  greater  or  less  ravaging  extent,  according  to  their  malig- 
nancytof  composition,  and  to  the  strength  of  the  resisting 
powers  of  the  organization;  consequently,  that  the  morbid 
sensibilities  constituting  all  diseases,  will  be  more  or  less 
mild  or  severe,  more  or  less  local  or  general,  in  degrees  cor- 
responding in  a  strictly  philosophical  manner  with  the  nature 
of  the  causative  agents,  and  the- predisposition  or  idiosyn- 
crasy of  the  constitutions  receptive  of  them.  As  is  there- 
fore, the  nature  of  the  causative  agent  and  the  condition  of 
the  organization  receptive  of  it,  such  will  inevitably  be  its 
effects. 

By  the  inductive  process  of  reasoning,  we  have  intwitive 
demonstration  of  the  modus  operandi  of  the  agents  produc- 
tive of  both  idiopathic  and  traumatic  tetanus;  and  are  forth- 
with conducted,  by  the  continuance  of  such  reasoning  pro*- 
cess,  to  the  institution  of  such  methodus  medendi,  as  will 
eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting  th(?m,  through 
the  appropriate  emunctories,  in  all  cases  in  which  elimina- 
tion is  rendered  possible  through  appropriate  medication. 
Man  must  sooner  or  later  yield  his  terrestrial  vitality  to  the 
causative  agents  of  disease;  yet  in  any,  or  every  case  of  dis- 
tempered organization,  arising  from  causes  accessible  to  ap- 
prehension and  appreciation,  by  appropriately  estimating 
their  effects,  and  the  nervous  energies  remaining  in  the  con- 
stitutions receptive  of  them,  agreeably  to  the  principles  de- 
veloped by  our  philosophy,  we  may  reach  such  diagnostic 
certainty,  as  will  enable  us  to  predict  unerringly  the  con- 
sequences which  will  ensue  from  appropriate  medication. 

We  have  made  these  few  observations,  for  the  purpose 
more  particularly  at  the  present  time,  of  unrolling  to  there- 
cognition  of  common  sense,  the  true  philosophy  pertaining 
to  hydrophobia.  This  disease,  when  arising  from  the  recep- 
tion of  a  sufficient  quantity  of  the  rabid  virus  in  a  highly 


154 

matured  state  of  malignancy,  must  in  the  present  state  of  our 
knowledge,  be  considered  incurable.  In  its  highest  grades 
it  is  incurable, — because,  the  poisonous  virus  causative  of  it, 
is  absorbed  into  the  circulations,  and  through  them,  the  in- 
nervating centres,  and  every  department  of  the  organization 
become  pathologized,  to  the  total  preclusion  of  resolving  the 
convulsive  recuperation  characterizing  it,  by  any  medica- 
tion, to  the  requisite  standard  for  enabling  the  conservative 
powers  to  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  through  the  le- 
gitimate outlets.  The  rabid  virus  originating  hydrophobia 
of  highest  grade  is,  therefore,  so  concentratedly  malignant, 
as  to  poison  the  vital  fluid,  and  consequently  the  total  orga- 
nization,— beyond  the  power  of  any  effective  recuperation, 
by  nature,  or  art.  Until,  therefore,  (if  it  be  possible,)  some 
therapeutic  agent,  or  agents,  can  be  discovered,  which  will 
neutralize  and  expel  the  virus  and  its  effects  from  the  circu- 
lations, so  that  the  morbid  sensibilities  may  be  eliminated 
through  their  only  legitimate  outlets,  this  disease  must  be 
considered  incurable.  The  hydrophobic  virus,  however, 
like  all  other  agents,  acting  deleteriously,  when  absorbed  into 
the  circulatibns,  has  its  degrees  of  malignancy,  and  is  there- 
fore operative  to  the  production  of  pathological  conditions, 
in  correspondent  degrees.  The  noxious  stimuli  originating 
yellow  fevers,  choleras,  plagues,  &c.,  of  the  very  highest 
grades,  are  as  positively  destructive  of  total  vitality,  as  is 
the  most  malignant  rabid  virus ;  and  equally  require  neu- 
tralizing, or  antidotal  medication,  for  their  elimination  from 
the  organization. 

We  plainly  see,  therefore,  through  the  whole  philosophy 
pertaining  to  this  disease  : — plainly  see  that  the  cases  of  it 
recorded  to  have  been  successfully  treated,  must  inevitably 
have  been  originated  by  virus  much  less  matured  in  malig- 
nancy, than  such  as  originates  the  highest  and  incurable 
grades;  for  we  may  as  readily  recognize,  and  philosophically 
appreciate,  the  operativeness  of  appropriate  medication  in  re- 
solving and  eliminating  the  effects  of  the  noxious  virus  cau- 
sative of  what  may  be  philosophically  denominated,   the 


155 

milder  or  medial  grades  of  hydrophobia,  as  we  can  appreciate 
the  efficacy  of  appropriate  medication  in  resolving  and  elimi- 
nating the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting  the  mild  and  me- 
dial grades  of  yellow  fever,  cholera,  &c. — and  in  a  general 
sense  considered,  as  respects  the  operation  of  noxious  agents 
on  the  organization,  on  identical  principles. 

We  can  plainly  see  also,  that  many  of  the  cases  of  hydro- 
phobia recorded  to  have  been  cured,  must  have  been  of  the 
tetanic  kind  ; — must  have  arisen  from  wounded  nerves,  ten- 
dons, &c.  without  the  absorption  of  the  rabid  virus  into  the 
organization : — for  it  is  plainly  to  be  recognized,  that  this 
may  often  be  the  case,  from  the  nature  of  the  part  bitten 
being  little  prone  to  absorption,  as  is  evidently  the  case  in 
many  of  the  compact  nervous  structures  most  liable  to  be 
wounded  by  the  rabid  animal. 

We  can  see  therefore  through  the  medium  of  a  light,  as 
dazzlingly  palpable  to  philosophic  observation  and  apprecia- 
tion, as  meridian  sunshine, — all  the  causes  which  render 
all  the  diseases  of  the  very  highest  grades,  arising  from  the 
highest  noxious  stimuli,  in  their  states  of  highest  concentra- 
tion, so  difficultly  eliminated,  and  with  equal  clearness  appre- 
ciate the  reasons,  which  render  appropriate  medication  so 
easily  conductive  to  the  elimination  of  all  the  morbid  sensi- 
bilities constituting  the  milder  grades  arising  from  their  cor- 
respondently  mild  causes. 

Tetanus  and  hydrophobia  amongst  all  the  diseases  arranged 
by  the  nosologists  under  their  class  of  neuroses,  are,  patho- 
logically considered,  of  the  very  highest  grades, — and  recu- 
peratively  considered,  of  the  very  lowest  and  most  unfavour- 
able,— for  which  reason  we  have  selected  them,  to  settle 
such  philosophy  as  pertains  to  them  etiologically  and  recu- 
peratively.  This  we  have  indisputably  effected.  They  are 
both  unaccompanied  by  febrific  or  inflammatory  recupera- 
tion, that  can  be  rendered  available  to  elimination,  and 
neither  of  them  can  be  cured,  without  raising  such  re- 
cuperation by  appropriate  medication.  The  speculations  of 
authors  respecting  the  inflammatory,  or  nervous  character, 


156 

of  hydrophobia,  are  totally  unscientific,  and  at  variance  with 
all  true  philosophy  pertaining  to  it,  as  we  have  unanswera- 
bly demonstrated.  The  tumultuous  agitations  manifested  in 
the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments,  are  spasmodic 
and  convulsive  actions; — or  such  abortive  recuperative  exci- 
tations, as  the  deeply  pathologiz^d  organization  is  alone  ca- 
pable of  instituting; — and  the  marks  of  inflammatory  action 
supposed  to  be  discovered  by  post  mortem  examination, — 
and  of  sanguineous  congestions,  serous  and  sanguineous  effu- 
sions, &c.  are  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  marks  charac- 
terizing the  sequences,  of  intensely  ardent  convulsive  recu- 
peration— both  as  they  are  exhibited  to  view  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  morbid  lesions,  nervous  centres,  brain, 
lungs,  &c. 

All  such  wounds  as  may  become  liable  to  originate  either 
of  these  terrible  maladies,  should  never  be  permitted  to  heal 
spontaneously.  If  not  excised  immediately,  when  practica- 
ble or  expedient,  and  the  poisonous  virus  thus  prevented 
from  entering'  into  ttle  system,  or  prevented  by  appropriate 
suction,  by  cupping,  &c.; — the  wounde  should  be  freely  en- 
larged, and  such  applications  made  to  them,  as  will  produce 
such  inflammatory  recuperation  in,  and  surrounding  the  la- 
cerated regions,  as  may  be  required  for  eliminating  the  mor- 
bid sensibilities  through  copious  suppuration.  Wounds  heal- 
ed in  this  manner  are  never  productive  of  either  tetanus  or 
hydrophobia.  When,  however,  from  the  neglect  of  this  sim- 
ple medication,  such  diseases  are  fully  formed,  any  applica- 
tions to  the  wounded  regions,  for  the  purpose  of  producing 
suppuration,  are  for  reasons  too  obvious  now  to  mention,  ut- 
terly unavailing.  The  nervous  power  in  and  surrounding 
the  lacerated  regions,  has  expended  all  its  eliminative  agency 
without  effect; — the  morbid  sensibility  has  become  conges- 
tive of  nervous  energy  in  the  highest  degree,  and  the  ner- 
vous centres  have  taken  exclusively  the  charge  of  recupera- 
tion into  their  own  power; — and  these  powers  are  convul- 
sively and  abortively  exerted  to  the  rapid  expenditure  of  the 
vital  energies  of  the  system,  without  the  possibility  of  ef- 


157 

fecting  eliminative  recuperation.  In  such  deplorable  patho- 
loo-ical  and  recuperative  congestions  as  characterize  traumatic 
tetanus,  we  have  seen,  that  true  philosophy  when  put  in 
thorough  requisition,  may  often  achieve  a  conquest; — a  glo- 
rious conquest,  of  which  the  scientific  practitioner  may  well 
be  proud. 

It  follows,  therefore,  that  if  it  should  be  considered  neces- 
sary, after  traumatic  tetanus  is  fully  formed,  to  make  any 
applications  to  the  morbid  lesion,  they  should  be  exclusive- 
ly of  the  emollient  and  anodyne  kind: — consequently,  such 
applications  as  were  made  to  the  lacerated  region  in  the  case  of 
tetanus  above  related,  were  evidently  useless,  probably,  posi- 
tively injurious — but  certainly,  not  philosophically  indicated. 

It  is  impossible  to  understand  the  philosophy  of  diseases, 
without  studying  them  in  their  highest  grades; — without 
thoroughly  investigating  the  nature  and  characteristics  both 
of  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  manifested 
by  them,  and  understanding  with  equal  thoroughness  the  ex- 
tent of  departure  of  the  pathological,  from  the  healthy  phy- 
siological phenomena; — and  estimating  with  appropriately 
philosophical  exactitude,  the  character  of  such  recuperation 
as  may  be  raised  either  by  nature  or  art.  Without  such 
knowledge,  we  must  forever  grope  about  in  darkness,  and 
our  practice  be  forever  tentative  and  empirical; — but  with  it 
philosophical  and  eflective,  in  all  cases  not  by  their  nature 
positively  incurable.  True  philosophy  designa^^es  at  once  the 
curable  from  incurable  cases; — and  with  equal  facility  desig- 
nates the  appropriate  remedies,  with  their  requisite  degrees 
of  potency,  and  modes  and  quantities  of  exhibition,  for  effect- 
ing resolution  of  the  congestions,  and  elimination  of  the  mor- 
bid sensibilities.  We  have  selected,  therefore,  for  the  illus- 
tration of  our  philosophy,  some  of  the  very  highest  grades 
of  diseases,  arising  from  their  respectively  and  specifically 
varied  causes,  and  found,  that  however  difierent  the  causes 
and  pathological  conditions  arising  from  them  may  be  from 
each  other,  they  are  all  either  accompanied,  or  sooner  or 
later  succeeded, — or  never, — by  much  homogeneity  of  re- 
21 


158 

cuperation,  viz.  homogeneous,  in  the  sense,  that  they  are  all, 
(however  differently  characterized  in  general,  or  modified  in 
particular  they  may  be,)  such  recuperative  excitations,  as  the 
conservative  powers  in  each  and  every  case,  are  capable  of 
raising,  for  effecting  resolution  and  expulsion  of  the  patholo- 
gical phenomena; — and  are  inva||ably  manifested  to  our  ob- 
servation, by  irritations,  inflammations,  fevers,  spasms,  con- 
vulsions, or  anomalous  tumultuous  agitations  of  the  nervous 
vital  powers; — or  by  none  at  all; — as  is  undeniably  the  case 
whenever  the  organization  is  rendered  torpid  or  paralytic  by 
the  noxious  stimuli,  to  the  preclusive  extent  of  exciting  any 
recuperative  action  at  all. 

Now,  in  what  book  or  books  is  such  philosophy  to  be 
gathered,  as  will  lead  the  general  run  of  practitioners  to  the 
adoption  of  such  medication,  as  will  most  effectually  resolve 
such  overwhelming  pathological  and  recuperative  conges- 
tions, and  effect  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  con- 
stituting diseases  of  highest  grades,  arising  from  whatsoever 
causes?  We  are  unfolding  such  philosophy  as  recognizes 
the  causes  productive  of  such  overwhelming  congestions,  and 
of  the  remediate  measures  best  adapted  to  effect  their  resolu- 
tion, and  to  excite  the  requisite  recuperation,  for  eliminating 
the  effects  of  the  morbific  agents  from  the  system.  All  effec- 
tive medication  in  such  highly  concentrated  cases  of  morbid 
sensibility,  and  congestive  recuperation,  must  consist  of  the 
most  appropriately  potent  agents,  and  be  exhibited  with  the 
most  philosophic:  and  untiring  perseverance,  to  conduct  them 
to  successful  results.  The  same  therapeutical  philosophy 
should  be  put  in  thorough  requisition,  for  resolving  the  pa- 
thological and  recuperative  congestions  from  whatsoever 
causative  agents  arising,  and  eliminating  the  ravaging  conse- 
quences of  the  deleterious  stimuli  from  the  organization.  All 
the  higher  grades  of  diseases,  whether  characterized  by  spas- 
modic or  febrific  recuperation,  are  to  be  medicated  on  simi- 
lar principles,  to  insure  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibili- 
ties constituting  them.  Spasmodic  recuperation  is  to  be  re- 
solved and  converted  into  the  febrific,  and  the  febrific  to  be 


159 

medicated  to  sucii  secreting  and  excreting  standard,  as  is 
positively  and  exclusively  necessary,  to  insure  the  thorough 
expulsion  of  t!ie  efiecls  of  the  noxious  agents,  througli  the 
legitimate  outlets  of  the  organization. 

The  prominent  characteristic  of  all  the  colics,  mentioned 
by  all  the  nosologisls,  is  spasm; — considered  by  them,  and 
all  the  rest  of  the  medical  world  as  the  characteristic  patho- 
logical phenomenon; — whereas,  it  is  such  congestive  recupe- 
ration as  pertains  to  the  disease,  and  until  it  be  resolved 
by  appropriate  medication,  and  febrific  recuperation,  insti  tuted 
in  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments  of  the  organi- 
zation, these  diseases  cannot  be  conducted  to  successful  issues. 
There  never  was  a  disease  of  this  kind,  of  highest  grade, 
conducted  to  successful  result  in  any  other  way,  than  by  re- 
solving the  spasm, — and  then  conducting  the  energies  of  the 
system  to  the  excitation  of  such  febrific  recuperation  as  may 
prove,  under  appropriate  medication,  thoroughly  eliminative 
of  the  morbid  sensibilities.  For  although  colic  be  a  restrict- 
edly  local  disease,  and  either  primarily  accompanied,  or 
sooner  or  later  succeeded,  in  mild  cases,  by  irritative  or 
slightly  inflammatory  recuperation,  which  may  prove  suc- 
cessful to  elimination,  even  when,  at  the  same  time,  accom- 
panied or  intermixed  with  slightly  spasmodic  recuperation; — 
yet,  whenever  the  pathological  conditions  are  highly  con- 
centrative,  they  are  inevitably  succeeded  by  such  highly 
congestive  spasmodic  recuperation,  that  the  local  recuperative 
energies  of  the  affected  region  are  totally  inadequate  to  the 
production  of  the  series  of  curative  processes,  indispensably 
necessary  to  effect  elimination.  The  spasms  must  therefore 
be  resolved  by  appropriate  medication,  and  the  inflammatory 
recuperation  medicated  to  the  eliminating  standard  by  vene- 
section, warm  bathing,  &.c.  and  appropriate  purgation,  after 
spasms  are  allayed,  &c.  By  such  medication  repeated  and 
persevered  in,  according  to  the  exigencies  of  the  case,  the 
pathological  conditions  will  be  so  far  allayed,  and  the  spas- 
modic recuperation  so  far  subdued,  as  to  enable  the  conser- 
vative powers  by  the  continuance  of  appropriate  medication, 


160 

to  institute  the  necessary  febrific  recuperation  in  the  respi- 
ratory and  circulatory  departments  of  the  organization; — 
which  alone,  by  the  continuance  of  such  medication  as  is 
philosophically  appropriate  to  the  recuperative  state  thus  in- 
duced, will  produce  thorough  resolution  of  all  the  conges- 
tions, and  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  totally  from  the 
organization.  It  is  therefore  to  be  particularly  noted,  that 
the  higher  grades  of  these  diseases  cannot  be  medicated  to 
successful  results,  except  the  pathological  and  recuperative 
congestions  characterizing  them,  be  so  far  resolved  and  al- 
layed, that  the  conservative  powers  may  institute  the  neces- 
sary febrific  excitation,  for  the  production  of  thorough  elimi- 
nation of  the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting  them. 

Apoplexies,  palsies,  epilepsies,  catalepsies,  manias,  &c. 
and  all  others  of  the  higher  grades  nosologized  as  nervous 
by  medical  authors,  are  to  be  successfully  medicated  exclu- 
sively on  the  same  philosophical  principles.  Such  primary 
local  pathological  and  recuperative  congestions  as  characterize 
them,  are  to  be  so  far  subdued,  as  to  permit  the  extension  of 
the  recuperative  powers  to  the  respiratory  and  circulatory 
organs,  which  alone  can  thoroughly  subdue  them,  and  elimi- 
nate the  distempered  sensibilities  from  the  organization. 

All  morbid  sensibilities  whatever  of  highest  grades,  oc- 
curring in  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization,  characterized 
by  pathological  and  recuperative  congestions  of  high  concen- 
tration, are  to  be  medicated  to  successful  results  exactly  and 
exclusively  in  a  similar  manner,  in  a  general  sense  consider- 
ed, viz. — they  must,  however  differently  characterized  they 
may  be,  as  arising  from  different  specific  causative  agents, 
be  medicated  to  elimination  through  the  secretory  and  ex- 
cretory departments  of  the  organization.  True  philosophy 
unanswerably  proclaims  these  to  be  the  only  outlets  through 
which  their  elimination  can  be  effected. 

All  diseases  exclusively  local,  however  they  may  have 
been  nosologized,  are  to  be  medicated  to  resolution  and  eli- 
mination, either  by  nature  or  art,  through  recuperative  pro- 
cesses, in  a  general  sense  considered,  exactly  similar  to  each 


161 

other.  These  processes  in  the  exclusively  local  diseases  of 
every  description  consist  of  recuperative  excitations  in  the 
capillary  circulations,  identical  with  those  raised  in  the  ge- 
neral circulations  for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibi-litics. 
The  recuperative  manifestations  are  the  same  in  the  one  as 
the  other,  in  a  philosophical  sense  considered ; — and  their 
regular  terminations  in  resolution,  suppuration,  and  mortifi- 
cation the  same ; — and  they  are  subject  to  identical  anoma- 
lous terminations,  from  similar  causes, — from  the  malignant 
nature  of  the  noxious  agents  productive  of  them,  or  the  un- 
healthy states  of  the  constitutions  receptive  of  them, — whe- 
ther the  recuperative  excitations  arc  restricted  exclusively 
to  the  capillary  circulation,  or  extended  to  all  the  circula- 
tions. 

A  very  partial  consideration  bestowed  on  any  diseas^e  lia- 
ble to  remain  local  in  the  capillary  circulation,  or  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  general  circulations  for  elimination,  will  con- 
clusively illustrate  this  sweeping  proposition  to  intuitive 
demonstration.  We  may  take  for  instance  a  lacerated  or 
gunshot  wound.  When  restrictedly  local,  the  inflammatory 
recuperation  is  beautifully  manifested  to  observation  during 
its  whole  progress,  until  it  has  effected  the  thorough  elimi- 
nation of  the  morbid  sensibility  from  the  affected  department 
of  the  organization,  by  appropriate  suppuration.  When  such 
wounds  are  extensive,  and  characterized  by  deep  depressions 
and  congestions  of  the  nervous  energies  of  the  parts  impli- 
cated in  the  morbid  sensibilities,  the  vital  energies  of  the 
surrounding  sound  parts  are  inadequate  to  the  production  of 
their  elimination  through  suppurative  resolution,  as  it  should 
be  denominated; — and  the  innervating  centres,  therefore, 
institute  recuperative  excitations,  not  only  in  and  through 
the  general  arterial  circulations,  which  are  propagated  to  the 
capillary,  with  the  requisite  momentum  for  raising  the  ne- 
cessary elaboration  of  pus,  for  effecting  elimination  locally, — 
but  also  for  effecting  general  and  thorough  elimination  of 
such  morbid  constitutional  sensibilities  as  may  have  sympa- 


162 

thetically  occurred,  through  one  or  more  of  the  general  se- 
cretions and  excretions. 

Or  the  noxious  agents  may  have  occasioned  such  concen- 
trated depressions  and  congestions  of  the  vital  energies  in 
and  surrounding  the  lacerated  region,  that  neither  the  local, 
or  both  sets  of  recuperative  excitations  conjunctively,  can, 
even  by  the  aid  of  the  most  appropriate  medication,  be  made 
to  terminate  in  such  salutary  suppuration  as  is  indispensably 
necessary  to  cast  off  the  effete  and  useless  portions  of  the 
organization  destroyed  by  the  wound: — in  consequence  of 
which  recuperative  inability,  in  both  the  capillary  and  ge- 
neral circulations,  whether  acting  too  excessively  or  dimi- 
nishedly,  mortification  and  death  will  be  the  inevitable  se- 
quents.  Mortification  under  such  circumstances  ensues,  from 
the  concentratedly  malignant  pathological  phenomena  over- 
powering both  the  local  and  general  recuperative  pheno- 
mena:— in  which  case,  they  gnaw  away,  and  rapidly  extend 
their  festering  ravages  to  the  total  destruction  of  both  local 
and  general  recuperations,  whether  they  be  raised  and  exer- 
cised by  the  innervating  centres  too  excessively  in  strong 
and  vigorous  constitutions,  or  in  weak  and  debilitated  con- 
stitutions, too  deficiently. 

And  here  we  may  very  appropriately  observe,  that  medi- 
cal philosophers  have  never  given  due  consideration  to  the 
causes  of  the  different  recuperative  manifestations,  either  ac- 
companying or  succeeding  the  different  pathological  pheno- 
mena, arising  either  from  different  noxious  agents,  or  from 
salutary  agents  when  acting  in  excess  or  deficiency,  on  and 
in  the  organization.  All  noxious  agents  invariably  depress 
and  congest  the  vital  energies  of  that  part,  or  those  parts,  of 
the  organization,  to  which  they  are  applied,  or  extended, 
through  the  operativeness  of  such  mutuality  of  sensation  as 
is  inherent,  and  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  rendered  active  by 
morbid  excitation  received  from  noxious  stimuli,  in  greater 
or  less  degrees  throughout  the  various  structures  of  the  or- 
ganization. 


163 

ll  certainly  is  a  perfect  absurdity  to  suppose,  that  poisons 
can  raise  the  vital  energies  of  the  organization,  as  long  as 
they  remain  rankling  in  any  of  its  departments.  The  pro- 
position, that  all  poisonous  agents,  when  effecting  their  loca- 
tion on  or  in  any  part  of  the  system,  act  invariably  to  the 
depression,  congestion,  and  destruction,  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree,  according  to  the  malignant  nature  of  the  poisonous 
agents,  and  the  ability  of  the  constitutions  receptive  of  them, 
to  resist  their  deleterious  influences,  needs  but  to  be  men- 
tioned to  be  unqualifiedly  admitted.  They  never  raise  the 
vital  energies  of  the  organization: — the  resisting,  conserva- 
tive, recuperative  powers  of  the  constitution,  raise  all  the 
excitement,  irritative,  febrificor  inflammatory,  or  spasmodic 
and  convulsive; — they  raise  all  the  reactive  movements  in 
each  and  every  case  that  are  raised; — for  in  many  cases,  no 
recuperative  excitations  are  ever  raised,  either  by  nature  or 
medication  ; — proving  incontestibly,  that  noxious  agents, 
highly  malignant  in  their  composition,  depress  and  congest, 
not  raise  and  excite,  the  energies  of  the  organization  to  in- 
creased actions,  in  any  of  its  departments,  or  in  a  total  sense 
considered.  This  proposition  is  self-evident  and  incontro- 
vertible;— consequently,  the  only  one  which  can  lead  us  to 
the  appropriate  recognition  and  appreciation  of  the  patholo- 
gical phenomena  constituting  all  diseases  whatever,  and  of 
the  recuperative  excitations  raised  by  nature  for  their  reso- 
lution and  expulsion  from  the  system.  As  is  therefore  the 
destructive  nature  of  the  noxious  agents,  such  are  and  inevi- 
tably will  be  the  peculiar  and  specific  pathological  conditions 
sequential  to  their  entrance  into  any  part  or  parts  of  the  sys- 
tem. Such  pathological  conditions  will  be  manifested  to  ob- 
servation by  such  symptomatic  phenomena  as  are,  and  inevi- 
tably must  be,  strictly  and  philosophically  consistent  with 
the  specific  nature  and  operation  of  the  noxious  stimuli,  and 
the  specific  functional  operations  of  the  specific  organic 
structures  invaded  by  them: — and  the  recuperative  manifes- 
tations will  be  equally  correspondent  with  the  depressive 
effects  of  the  noxious  agents,  and  ability  of  the  resisting 


164 

powers  of  the  constitution ; — and  they  will  be  raised  in  a 
more  or  less  favourable  manner  accordingly,  or  not  at  all. 

Through  the  judicious  application  of  the  unerring  princi- 
ples of  this  philosophy,  we  can  most  assuredly  recognize  and 
appreciate  the  reasons,  which  render  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena characterizing  jail,  hospital,  and  camp  fevers,  as  they 
are  called,  and  all  others,  however  nosologized,  that  are  cha- 
racterized by  adynamic  and  ataxic  modifications,  and  ano- 
malous variations,  of  recuperative  phenomena^  so  difficultly 
eliminated  from  the  organization,  either  by  nature  or  appro- 
priate medication. 

Whenever,  therefore,  the  pathological  phenomena  origi- 
nate the  low  typhoid,  or  asthenic  recuperative  excitations, 
of  the  febrific  and  inflammatory  kind; — or  spasmodic  and 
convulsive  recuperations; — or  recuperative  excitations  cha- 
racterized by  the  feeblest  and  most  inefficient  febrific  and 
inflammatory  action,  intermixed  more  or  less  with  nervous 
tremors,  and  agitations,  subsultus  tendinum,&c.: — whenever 
and  wherever  we  find  such  abortive  attempts  made  by  the 
conservative  powers  for  elimination,  we  may  be  assured  that 
the  pathological  phenomena  have  arisen  from  poisonous 
agents,  highly  matured  in  malignancy  of  composition; — and 
that  whenever  no  recuperative  excitations  at  all  are  raised, 
they  must  have  arisen  from  poisonous  stimuli,  still  higher 
matured  in  malignancy.  By  duly  discovering  and  estimat- 
ing therefore  the  states  or  degrees  of  malignant  concentra- 
tion of  the  noxious  stimuli,  which  are  productive  of  patho- 
logical phenomena  so  overwhelming  the  vital  powers  of  the 
organization,  we  readily  recognize  the  causes  of  all  such 
feeble  and  unavailing  recuperative  phenomena,  as  must  in- 
evitably, sooner  or  later,  if  at  all,  succeed  them,  whenever 
the  powers  of  the  nervous  organization  are  not  depressed  and 
congested  to  the  positive  extent  of  irrecuperation. 

On  the  other  hand  we  can  as  readily  recognize  the  reasons 
why  more  energetic  recuperation  is  raised  by  such  patholo- 
gical phenomena  as  are  originated  by  cold,  or  other  more 
ordinary  causes,  operating  on  healthy  and  vigorous  consti- 


165 

tutions; — or  why  more  energetic  recuperation  is  raised 'in 
vigorous  constitutions,  when  receptive  of  the  most  virulent 
noxious  stimuli  in  small  quantities,  or  of  noxious  stimuli  less 
matured,  in  malignancy  in  large  quantities,  &c. 

We  thus  develope  the  unerring  philosophy  pertaining  to 
the  nature  and  characteristics  of  all  the  inflammations; — that 
they  are  recuperative  excitations,  not  diseased  actions — that 
they  are  invariably,  whenever  the  conservative  powers  are 
capable  of  raising  them,  sooner  or  later  sequential  to  the  pa- 
thological phenom.ena  which  originate  them,  as  proximate 
causes,  and  are  consequently  characterized  universally,  in  a 
manner  corresponding  with  the  depressive  efiects  of  the 
noxious  agents,  and  the  ability  of  the  conservative  powers  to 
institute  them. 

True  philosophy  requires  us  to  consider  inflammatory  re- 
cuperation as  invariably  local,  whether  characterized  by- 
more  or  less  sthenic  or  asthenic  action,  and  exclusively  ope- 
rative in  the  capillary  circulation,  whether  adequate  to  effect 
elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  originating  it  through 
its  own  sanative  efficiency,  or  whether  the  radical  powers  of 
the  organization  are  summoned  to  its  aid,  in  effecting  febrific 
recuperation  in  the  general  circulations,  for  the  purpose  of 
producing  thorough  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities 
from  the  organization. 

It  is  equally  evident  that  inflammatory  recuperation  must 
in  all  cases, from  whatsoever  pathological  phenomena  originat- 
ing, remain  local.  It.  is  evident  also,  that  inflammatory  or  ir- 
ritative recuperation  is  universally  the  primary  recuperation 
instituted  by  the  conservative  powers  in  the  capillary  de- 
partments of  the  organization; — because  the  noxious  agents 
invariably  pathologize  the  organization  primarily,  in  some 
one  or  more  of  its  peripheric  departments; — therefore,  and 
inevitably,  originating  primarily,  irritative,  or  inflammatory 
recuperation,  and  secondarily,  febrific  recuperation,  in  the 
general  circulations,  to  conduct  the  primary  to  the  power  of 
eliminating  the  pathological  phenomena  when  they  are  not 
of  themselves  sufficient  for  the  purpose: — febrific  recupera- 
22 


166 

tion  must,  therefore,  be  always  secondary  or  sequential  to 
the  primary  irritative  or  inflammatory; — consequently  as  se- 
condary recuperations  are  always  supervenient  to  the  pri- 
mary, idiopathic  fevers  are  precluded  from  the  recognition 
of  our  philosophy.  This  explanation  of  the  modus  operandi 
of  the  pathological  phenomena,  from  whatsoever  agents  origi- 
nating, is  perfectly  consistent  with  all  such  recuperative  phi- 
losophy as  we  have  heretofore  advanced;  and  will  stand  the 
test  of  the  most  scrutinizing  analytic  investigation; — in  what- 
ever part  or  parts  of  the  organization  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena are  primarily  located,  whether  in  the  external  or  in- 
ternal dermoid,  or  parenchymatous  structures :^-and  will 
equally  stand  the  test  of  such  analysis,  whether  our  re- 
searches be  confined  to  the  deleterious  operations  sequential 
to  the  application  of  causative  agents  exterior  to  the  organi- 
zation, or  to  such  as  arise  secondarily  in  the  interior  of  the 
organization,  however  remotely  derived,  may  be  the  causes 
of  such  interior  pathologization. 

We  proceed  therefore  to  observe,  that  inflammatory  recu- 
peration must  inevitably,  in  all  cases,  be  locally  instituted, 
by  the  pathological  phenomena;  and  invariably  remain  local. 
Ii  is  utterly  impossible  that  inflammation  can  ever  be  gene- 
ral,— pervading  the  total  organization;  as  it  is  the  direct  se- 
quent of  the  pathological  phenomena, — and  cannot  occur 
without  their  supervention.  As  long  therefore,  as  the  excit- 
ing causes  of  such  inflammatory  recuperation  remain  opera- 
tive in  any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization ; — as  long  as  the 
morbid  sensibilities,  or  pathological  phenomena  remain,  in 
any  part  or  parts  of  the  organization,  depressing,  debilitat- 
ing, and  deranging  the  physiological  conditions  of  the  said 
part  or  parts; — it  is  utterly  impossible  for  the  total  organiza- 
tion to  become  assumptive  of  inflammatory  action  : — because 
inflammation  in  all  its  degrees,  however  sthenically  or  asthe- 
nically  manifested  to  observation, — is  invariably  character- 
ized by  one  prominent  symptom, — an  afflux  of  fluids  to  the 
part  or  parts  pathologized  by  the  causative  agents,  sooner  or 
later,  according  to  the  greater  or  less  prostration  of  nervous 


167 

energy  occasioned  by  them, — but  in  all  cases  prior  to  the  in- 
stitution of  febrific  recuperation  in  the  general  circulations. 
All  noxious  stimuli,  which  on  application  to  the  organiza- 
tion do  not  instantaneously  demolish  its  radical  powers  of 
total  innervation^  effect  the  intromission  of  their  ravaging 
influences,  more  or  less  locally,  through  one  or  more  of  its 
departments,  externally  or  internally  considered,  by  over- 
powering their  elective  attraction  for  salutary. stimuli; — and 
these  ravaging  influences,  if  not  rapidly  extended  through 
sympathetie  sensibility  to  all  the  important  organs  preserva- 
tive of  vitality, — are  sooner  or  later  succeeded  by  recupera- 
tive excitations,  primarily  irritative  or  inflammatory,  which, 
if  not  sufficient  ta  produce  elimination  of  the  pathological 
phenomena,  are  sooner  or  later  succeeded  by  febrific  recu- 
peration in  the  general  circulations,  or  by  spasmodic  and 
convulsive  recuperation,  whenever  the  nervous  centres  be- 
come so  intensely  percipient  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  as 
to  preclude  the  extension  of  their  recuperating  powers  to  the 
general  circulations,  which  alone,  under  such  circumstances, 
are  capable  of  effecting  elimination.  This  is  the  indubitable 
deduction  of  veritable  philosophy; — the  total  amount  of  such 
pathologic  and  recuperative  philosophy,  as  becomes  lumi- 
nously^palpable  to  observation,  in  the  direct  line  of  such 
cause  and  effect,  as  is  directly  and  inevitably  sequential  to 
the  intromission  and  deleterious  operation  of  the  causative 
agents  of  disease,  whether  arising  from  noxious  stimuli,  in 
the  physical  department  of  creation,  or  from  noxious  stimuli 
secondarily  elaborated  in  the  interior  of  the  organization, 
through  the  deleterious  operation  of  a  variety  of  causes  re- 
motely operative  to  the  production  of  such  nbxious  stimuli 
as  constitute  the  pathological  phenomena  characteristic  of 
hereditary  diseases,  &c. 

This  philosophy  pertaining  to  the  organization  of  man, 
when  pathologized  from  whatsoever  causes,  not  operative  to 
the  total  inhibition  of  recuperative  excitation,  precludes  the 
possibility  of  either  idiopathic  fevers,  or  inflammations  in 
the  general  circulations,  ever  under  any  circumstances,  be- 


168 

coming  directly  and  primarily  supervenientj  to  the  operation 
of  the  causative  agents  of  diseases. 

The  different  degrees  of  receptivity  for  stimuli  of  every 
description,  of  the  different  organic  structures  composing  the 
total  organization,  conclusively  preclude  us" from  recognizing 
the  possibility  of  its  becoming  assumptive  simultaneously, 
throughout  all  its  varied  structures,  of  either  universal  patho- 
logization,  or  recuperation.  If  the  total  organization  could 
be  simultaneously  affected  by  noxious  agents,  without  extin- 
guishing its  total  vitality; — could  idiopathic  fevers  or  inflam- 
mations be  instituted  by  the  innervating  centres  of  a  system 
of  vitality,  thus  universally  assailed?  If  every  individual 
tissue  of  the  organization  could  be  simultaneously  affected 
with  pathological  conditions,  would  it  not  be  so,  to  the  total 
preclusion  of  any  recuperation,  and  to  the  sudden  or  rapid 
extinction  of  total  vitality; — or  if  any  could  occur,  would  it 
not  be  totally  useless,  and  unavailing?  Lightning  in  suf- 
ficient quantity,  kills  instantaneously,  by  destroying  the  ner- 
vous radicles  of  the  total  organization; — not  the  feeblest 
spasm  occurring,  after  its  reception.  Many  other  noxious 
stimuli  extinguish  total  vitality  with  nearly  equal  rapidity, 
without  any  other  recuperative  manifestation  than  a  convul- 
sion or  two,  at  the  last  gasp  of  expiring  nature.  The  organi- 
zation in  such  cases  may  be  considered  as  having  passed  from 
the  vital,  to  the  disposal  of  physical  laws.  We  may  there- 
fore with  truth  undeniable,  conclude,  that,  if  the  constitution 
could  throughout  all  its  varied  structures  become  simulta- 
neously receptive  of  pathological  conditions,  from  any  noxi- 
ous agents,  it  would  be  to  such  extent,  as  to  positively  pre- 
clude any  inflammatory,  or  even  spasmodic  recuperation 
other  than  the  feeblest  and  most  unavailing.  Are  not  fevers 
and  inflammations  and  all  other  recuperative  excitations  there- 
fore, to  be  recognized  as  salutary  and  not  diseased  operations 
of  the  organization?  And  are  not  idiopathic  inflammations 
and  fevers  in  the  sense  contended  for,  by  many  authors  to 
be  recognized  by  veritable  philosophy,  as  impossible  crea- 
tions? 


169 

We  are  not  engaged  in  writing  a  treatise  on  inflammation — 
we  are  engaged  in  simply  unfolding  in  the  most  general 
terms,  the  outlines  of  the  philosophy  of  medicine; — not  in 
giving  the  subject  of  inflammation,  a  thorough  philosophic 
discussion.  We  shall  therefore  at  present,  neither  advert  to 
the  differing  characteristics  of  the  pathological  phenomena 
originating  inflammatory  recuperation,  as  arising  from  its 
numerous  and  variant  causes; — nor  to  the  differing  charac- 
teristics of  which  the  pathological  phenomena  become  as- 
sumptive, when  occupying  the  differently  varied  structures 
of  the  organization,  and  correspondently  modifying  the  in- 
flammatory recuperations,  primarily  sequential  to  them; — 
nor  to  the  different  terminations  of  the  different  inflamma- 
tions, thus  differenlly  originated  and  characterized; — be- 
cause, all  such  variations  will  be  readily  recognized,  by  all 
philosophic  practitioners,  as  legitimately  and  specifically, 
arising  from  their  respectively  varied  causative  specificities, 
both  as  respects  the  causative  agents,  and  the  constitutions 
receptive  of  them.  It  may  not  be  however  inappropriate 
on  the  present  occasion,  to  observe,  that,  the  conflicting  opi- 
nions of  medical  philosophers,  respecting  the  actual  state,  or 
condition  and  nature,  of  the  action  of  the  vessels  concerned 
in  the  production  of  such  afflux  of  the  vital  fluids,  as  promi- 
nently characterizes  inflammatory  recuperation,  are  easily  re- 
conciled. 

The  arterial  circulations  elaborate  all  the  creative,  pre- 
servative, and  recuperative  energies; — consequently,  increas- 
ed actions  in  the  vessels  is  primarily  and  ultimately  to  be  ob- 
served and  recognized  in  all  inflammatory  recuperations, 
terminating  in  expulsion  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  origi- 
nating them  through  resolution.  The  action  of  the  vessels 
concerned  in  the  production  of  such  inflammatory  recupera- 
tion as  terminates  in  suppuration,  are  both  in  the  incipient 
and  intermediate  states  of  the  inflammatory  progress,  in- 
creased much  beyond  their  natural  actions; — but  in  the  ulti- 
mate stage  of  it,  their,  actions  are  diminished  below  their 
natural  standard.   They  then  become  slower,  in  consequence 


170 

of  such  engorgement  as  occurs  from  the  effusion  of  such 
coagulable  lymph  and  serum,  as  are  necessarily  supervenient 
to  the  formation  of  the  suppurative  resolution,  required  for 
eliminating  the  pathological  phenomena  from  the  organiza- 
tion. The  actions  of  the  vessels  also  operative  to  the  pro- 
duction of  such  inflammatory  recuperations,  as  are  to  termi- 
nate in  mortification,  are,  during  the  incipient  and  interme- 
diate states  of  the  process,  very  much  increased  beyond  their 
natural  standard  of  action,  both  in  the  sthenic  and  asthenic 
species: — they  are  so  violently  increased  in  both  species  by 
the  pathological  phenomena  originating  them,  that  they  run 
to  the  production  of  such  indirect  debility  in  the  structures 
of  the  part  or  parts,  assumptive  both  of  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena and  recuperative  excitations,  as  terminates  in  the 
death  of  the  entire  region  thus  affected.  It  is  primarily  and 
consecutively  considered,  a  state  of  inflammatory  recupera- 
tion, attended  with  much  increased  arterial  action,  which  is 
ultimately  considered,  overpowered  by  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena to  the  production  of  such  recuperative  congestion, 
as  permits  them  to  terminate  the  combat  in  disorganization 
and  destruction  of  the  affected  region  exclusively,  or  of  the 
total  organization,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  vitality  of 
such  departments  of  it  as  are  pathologized. 

And  here  we  consider  it  not  inappropriate  to  observe,  be- 
cause illustrating  conclusively  the  fundamental  proposition 
supportive  of  our  philosophy, — that  by  a  wise  provision  of 
nature  the  tendency  of  pus,  as  well  as  of  the  products  of  in- 
flammation, leadiog  to  resolution,  are  to  the  surface  of  the 
organization.  This  is  easily  explained  by  appropriately  re- 
cognizing and  appreciating  the  nervous  system  to  be  exclu- 
sively the  creative,  continuative,  and  preservative  system  of 
the  total  organization  of  man.  The  innervating  centres  of 
the  nervous  organization  are  the  sources  from  whence  ema- 
nate, in  a  more  or  less  direct  or  indirect  manner,  all  the 
various  kinds  of  vitality,  pertaining  to  the  various  structures 
of  the  organization,  and  operative  in  its  healthy  condition  to 
the  production  of  one  beautiful  harmonious  whole  system  of 


171 

vitality,  philosophically  irresolvable  into  divisibility  or  insu- 
lation of  parts.  Through  the  mediation  of  the  nerves  origi- 
nating in  the  central  radicles  of  vitality,  in  a  more  or  less 
direct  manner,  all  the  vital  influences  necessary  to  the  pro- 
duction of  such  harmonious  whole  system  of  vitality,  are  in 
requisite  degrees  dispensed  and  distributed  throughout  the 
external  and  internal  tissues  of  the  organization  in  such  por- 
tions, ways  and  manners,  as  they  severally  need,  from  these 
central  radicles  of  vitality  externally  and  internally  conei- 
dered,  to  the  circumference  of  the  system.  Their  action  is 
invariably,  from  the  centre  to  the  circumference  of  the  sys- 
tem, more  or  less  immediately  or  mediately,  according  to 
their  more  or  less  direct  -origination  in  the  cerebro-spinal 
centres,  or  in,  or  from  the  nervous  plexuses  and  ganglia. 
We  thus  recognize  the  causes  which  determine  the  favourable 
products  of  inflammatory  recuperation  in  whatever  depart- 
ments of  the  organization  occurring,  from  the  centre  to  the 
periphery  of  the  organic  structures.  * 

This  important  consideration,  based  on  recognizing  the 
nervous  organization,  aS  acting  to  the  production  of  one 
beautiful  and  harmonious  whole  system  of  vitality,  although 
composed  of  such  varieties  of  structures,  and  for  correspon- 
dent varieties  of  functional  operations; — developes  forthwith, 
to  common  sense  and  reason,  such  principles  as  should  be 
put  in  requisition  for  arriving. at  the  knowledge  of  such  the- 
rapeutic philosophy,  as  may  guide  and  direct  us  to  the  adop- 
tion of  the  most  efiicient  remediate  measures  for  resolving 
and  eliminating  all  morbid  sensibilities  from  whatsoever 
causes  arising.  It  leads  us  direct  to  the  adoption  of  the  most 
appropriate  and  efficient  medication,  for  eliminating  all  the 
specifically  varied  kinds  of  pathological  phenomena,  arising 
from  their  specifically  varied  causative  agents,  and  to  the  most 
appropriate  medication  for  each  and  every  different  grade  of 
pathologic  condition  thus  specifically  originating,  by  appro- 
priately appreciating  the  nature  and  action  of  the  recupera- 
tive phenomena,  sooner  or  later,  sequential  to  them,  in  all 


172 

cases  which  are  not  rendered  positively  irrecuperable  by  the 
overwhelming  action  of  the  causative  agents. 

The  labours  of  many  distinguished  anatomists  and  physi- 
ologists, and  pathologists,  are  rapidly  clearing  the  way,  for 
proving  incontrovertibly,  to  the  whole  medical  world,  that 
the  nervous  system  is  the  only  and  whole  system  of  man; — 
and  that  on  its  varied  actions,  both  in  health  and  disease, 
should  be  founded  the  total  philosophy  pertaining  to  the 
therapeutic  department  of  the  science  of  medicine.  This 
philosophy,  when  thoroughly  understood  and  appreciated, 
will,  when  put  in  appropriate  requisition,  result  in  all  the 
further  improvements,  of  which  the  science  of  medicine  is 
ever  destined  to  become  receptive.  Some  of  the  improve- 
ments readily  suggested  by  our  philosophy,  will  be  briefly 
mentioned  under  the  head  of  the  few  observations  we  design 
to  make  on  the  treatment  of  diseases. 

We  have  made  a  few  observations  on  what  are  erroneous- 
ly denominsfted  by  the  nosologists  inflammatory  diseases, 
and  demonstrated  that  they  are  not  diseases,  but  recupera- 
tive excitations,  never  involving  the  total  organization  in  in- 
flammatory action.  We  have  demonstrated,  that  in  all  the 
inflammations,  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena 
are  in  close  grapple  with  each  other. — and  that  the  organiza- 
tion from  no  cause,  or  combination  of  causes,  can  be  render- 
ed totally  assumptive  of  pathological  ravaging,  and  recupera- 
tive excitation,  simultaneously. 

The  most  partial  examination  of  any  one,  or  of  all  the  in- 
flammatory diseases,  as  they  are  called,  will  conclusively 
substantiate  these  observations,  beyond  the  possibility  of  de- 
nial, or  successful  refutation.  Gastritis,  for  example,  is  fre- 
quently restrictedly  local  in  the  capillary  circulation,  and 
when  arising  from  slight  causes,  requiring  nothing  more 
than  mild  irritative  or  inflammatory  recuperation  in  the  car 
pillary  circulation,  in  and  immediately  surrounding  such  lo- 
cation, as  the  pathological  phenomena  have  assumed,  as  will 
result  in  the  production  of  thorough  resolution  and  elimina- 


173 

tion,  frequently,  willioiit  any  medication: — or,  if  nature 
should  need  any  assistance,  nothing  more  than  appropriately 
mild  and  soothing  remedies  can  be  philosophically  indicated 
for  eliminating  such  mild  pathological  phenomena.  Or  the 
morbid  sensibilities  constituting  this  disease,  may  be  of 
much  higher  grade,  and  by  sympathetic  sensibility,  more  or 
less  extended  to  such  contiguous  parts  as  are  connected  with, 
this  viscus — the  stomach, — through  the  influence  of  such  apr 
propriate  vascularly  nervous  organization,  as  may  become 
operative  to  the  production  of  such  extension; — in  which 
case,  a  restrictedly  local,  and  primary  recuperation,  becomes 
inadequate  to  the  production  of  elimination: — therefore,  the 
sensorial  powers  percipient  of  such  inadequacy,  in  the  capil- 
lary circulation,  raise  the  general  circulations  not  to  inflam- 
matory, but  febrific  recuperation,  for  eliminating  the  patho- 
logical phenomena,  not  only  through  the  legitimate  outlets 
pertaining  to  the  primarily  pathologized  region;  but  like- 
wise through  some  one  or  more  of  the  secerning  and  excern- 
ing  departments  of  the  organization, — for  the  purpose  of 
eliminating  such  pathological  phenomena  as  had  become  su- 
pervenient to  the  primary  through  nervous  sympathy.  In 
these  cases,  both  the  pathological  and  recuperative  pheno- 
mena are  still  restrictedly  local,  or  more  or  less  so: — total 
pathologization  and  recuperation  separately  or  conjunctly 
considered,  as  long  as  vitalit}^  remains,  are  to  be  philosophi- 
cally considered  as  totally  incompatible  with  the  varied  ope- 
rations pertaining  to  the  varied  nervous  structures  compos- 
ing the  nervous  organization  of  man. 

But  it  is  to  be  particularly  noted,  that  gastritis  may  arise 
from  such  highly  concentrated  malignant  agents,  as  it  does, 
in  many  cases  of  yellow  fever,  and  other  pestilential  epide- 
mics, as  to  deaden,  not  only  the  vital  energies  of  the  highly 
sympathetic  viscus  affected,  entirely  beyond  the  power  of 
its  becoming  assumptive  of  inflammatory  recuperation  in  the 
capillary  circulation; — but  through  sympathetic  sensibility, 
the  central  radicles  of  innervation  may  become  paralyzed 
23 


174 

beyond  the  power  of  instituting  any  recuperative  excitation 
at  all. 

In  such  cases,  and  thousands  of  others  that  might  be  men- 
tioned, as  arising  from  the  deleterious  operations  of  various 
noxious  agents,  when  not  only  some  one  or  more  of  the  im- 
portant vital  organs  themselves,  are  paralyzed  beyond  con- 
servative redemption  by  nature,  but  the  very  nervous  radi- 
cles of  vitality  through  sympathetic  sensibility  rendered 
nearly  powerless; — it  is  to  be  particularly  remarked,  and 
noted,  that  the  powers  of  philosophic  medication  when  ap- 
propriately applied  and  exhibited,  with  appropriate  perse- 
verance, m.ay,  at  least  occasionally,  prove  successful  in  em- 
powering the  nearly  lost  energies  of  the  innervating  centres 
of  the  organization,  to  institute  both  the  primary  and  conse- 
cutive series  of  recuperative  excitations,  which  are  in  all 
cases  indispensably  necessary  for  eliminating  the  pathologi- 
cal effects  of  the  poisonous  agents  from  the  constitution.  And 
how  does  appropriate  medication  effect  all  this  indispensably 
necessary  recuperative  series,  for  elimination?  It  does  it  by 
using  philosophically  such  appropriately  potent  medication, 
as  will  unlock  the  highly  concentrated  congestions,  of  the 
highly  important  vital  organs  involved  in  the  pathological 
phenomena,  to  such  standard,  or  approach  to  it,  of  salutary 
action,  as  is  required  by  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles  of  the 
organization  for  instituting  both  efficient  primary,  and  se- 
condary recuperations,  for  the  production  of  elimination  of 
the  morbid  sensibilities: — because  it  must  be  noted,  that  if 
the  noxious  stimuli  had  not  paralyzed  the  organization  be- 
yond the  power  of  instituting  such  recuperative  excitations 
in  the  capillary  and  general  circulations,  they  would  sponta- 
neously and  unavoidably  have  taken  place,  in  a  manner  phi- 
losophically corresponding  with  the  unerring  laws  of  action 
pertaining  to  the  organization,  in  all  cases,  when  not  patho- 
logically affected  to  the  irrecuperative  degree. 

It  is  to  the  study  of  these  highest  grades  of  diseases  that 
we  must  resort  for  effectively  reaching  the  true  philosophy 


175 

of  medicine, — the  very  arcana  of  which,  both  pathologically 
and  recuperatively  considered,  are  concentered  in  such  dis- 
eases,— which  must  be  unlocked,  and  unrolled,  to  the  palpa- 
ble observation  of  medical  investigators,  to  enable  them  to 
recognize  and  appreciate  the  total  philosophy  pertaining  to 
such  concentrated  morbid  sensibilities.  An  eternity  of  ob- 
servation, directed  exclusively  to  the  milder  and  medial 
grades  of  diseases,  arising  from  whatsoever  causes,  would 
not  result  in  recognizing  and  appropriately  estimating  and 
realizing  the  beautiful  principles  composing  the  true  philo- 
sophy of  medicine. 

Irritations,  inflammations,  and  fevers,  in  a  general  or  re- 
cuperative sense  considered,  are  identical  conservative  exci- 
tations;— the  first,  characterized  by  more  or  less  ardent, 
more  or  less  sthenic,  or  asthenic  actions  of  the  vessels,  in 
the  capillary  circulations,  by  a  more  or  less  rapid  afflux  of 
fluids  into  the  vessels,  in  and  surrounding  the  pathologized 
region; — the  latter,  by  increased  actions  in  both  the  general 
and  capillary  circulations,  but  never  arising  to  such  intensity 
of  action  as  characterizes  exclusively  inflammatory  recupera- 
tion;— which  must  therefore  be  philosophically  recognized 
to  be  more  or  less  local. 

How  is  it  possible  for  any  practitioner  of  medicine  capa- 
ble of  profiting  by  observation,  and  reasoning  appropriately 
respecting  all  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena 
respectively  characterizing  the  exanthematous  diseases,  as 
they  are  called,  without  recognizing  the  truth  of  all  our  pro- 
positions, and  the  demonstration  which  inevitably  results 
from  an  appropriate  application  of  the  principles  developed 
by  them  ?  How  is  it  possible  for  him  not  to  see,  and  admit, 
•hat  the  irritations,  inflammations,  and  fevers,  recuperatively 
^characterizing  these  diseases,  are  not  pathological  pheno- 
mena? It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  he  should  be  able  to  see 
and  subject  either  the  contagious  effluvia  primitively  origi- 
nating the  small-pox,  or  the  palpably  contagious  pustular 
matter,  characteristic  of  the  elimination  of  the  poisonous  sti- 
muli from  the  organization,  into  their  constituent  elements; — 


176 

but,  it  is  to  be  expected,  that  he  should  philosophically  re- 
cognize both  the  primary  and  consecutive  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena,  characterizing  this  disease.  It  is 
to  be  expected  that  he  should  recognize  the  noxious  stimuli 
to  be  primarily  operative  in  the  capillary  circulation  of  the 
gastric  department  of  the  organization,  as  the  symptomato- 
logy of  the  disease  inevitably  evinces  this  to  be  the  case, 
during  its  incipient  period.  The  pathological  phenomena 
and  recuperative  excitations  raised  by  them  in  the  capillary 
circulation,  during  the  incipient  period,  are  rendered  palpa- 
bly presentive  to  observation,  by  all  the  symptoms  at  this 
time  manifesting  themselves; — and  it  should  be  particularly 
noted,  and  philosophically  estimated,  that  the  pathological 
phenomena  constituting  the  mildest  grades  of  this  disease, 
are  frequently  eliminated  by  irritative  and  inflammatory  re- 
cuperation, without  any  assistance  from  recuperative  excita- 
tion in  the  general  circulations.  The  salutary  operations  of 
nature  in  raising  irritative,  inflammatory,  or  febrific  recupe- 
ration, in  such  manners  and  degrees  as  are  respectively  ne- 
cessary to  eliminate  the  pathological  phenomena  respectively 
constituting  the  different  grades  of  the  distinct  species  or 
variety,  as  it  is  called,  of  this  disease,  are  too  palpable  to  be 
denied,  with  any  show  of  philosophic  plausibility.  We  ob- 
serve, therefore,  that  the  mildest  grades  need  little,  if  any  aid 
from  medication; — they  are  eliminated  principally  through 
the  resolving  efficacy  of  such  mild  irritative  or  inflammatory 
recuperation,  as  is  invariably,  in  all  such  cases,  sooner  or 
later  sequential  to  the  slight  pathological  phenomena  elicited 
by  the  noxious  stimuli.  And  here  it  may  not  be  inappro- 
priate to  observe,  that  although  the  elementary  materials  of 
the  malignant  contagion  originating  this  disease,  either  in*t# 
invisible,  intangible,  miasmatic  state,  or  in  its  more  palpa-* 
ble,  pustulous  condition,  after  having  been  elaborated  for 
elimination,  by  the  recuperative  energies  of  the  organization, 
are  to  be  considered  as  irresolvable  into  their  component 
essences; — yet  they  are,  during  their  operations  on,  and  in, 
the  organization,  productive  of  a  series  of  more  palpably  pa- 


177 

thological  and  recuperative  phenomena,  than  those  elicited 
by  any  other  causative  agents  of  disease  whatever — produc- 
tive, indeed,  of  a  series  of  such  phenomena  as  develope  to 
inevitable  recognition,  the  total  philosophy  of  diseases,  which 
we  are  now  unrolling  to  such  palpable  observation. 

What  talented  practitioner  of  medicine  can  note  the  pri- 
mary irritative  or  inflammatory  recuperation,  which  is  suc- 
cessfully operative  in  eliminating  the  pathological  conditions 
constituting  the  mildest  grades; — and  the  consecutive  febrific 
recuperation,  which  is  supervenient  to  the  primary,  in  the 
medial  and  higher  grades  of  the  distinct  variety,  for  eliciting 
the  eruption  of  the  morbid  effects  of  the  poisonous  stimuli, 
and  locating  them  for  elimination,  in  the  dermoid  structures 
of  the  organization,  externally  and  internally  considered 
also,  to  much  extent  of  appreciation, — without  having  a  per- 
spective view  at  least  of  the  beautiful  philosophy  of  medi- 
cine;— and  when  he  further  considers  that  in  the  milder 
grades,  after  the  eruption  is  completed,  the  recuperative  ex- 
citations which  elaborated  it,  entirely  cease  in  the  general 
circulations,  and  leave  the  maturation  and  elimination  of  the 
morbific  matter  to  the  salutary  operation  of  such  primary 
irritative  or  inflammatory  recuperation  as  is  supervenient  to 
such  cessation; — and  when  he  considers,  that  in  many  of  the 
medial  and  higher  grades  of  the  distinct  variety,  after  the 
eruption  becomes  fully  developed,  that  much  remission  of 
feirific  recuperation  occurs,  but  not  a  total  cessation  ; — and 
that  it  is  continued  operative  in  such  degree  as  to  appro- 
priately assist  the  recuperative  excitation  in  the  capillary 
circulation,  to  maturate  and  eliminate  the  morbific  matter 
from  the  organization: — and  when  he  finally  notes  that  in 
all  cases  where  febrific  recuperation  has  entirely  ceased,  and 
the  inflammatory  recuperation  in  the  capillary  circulation 
becomes  inadequate  to  produce  maturation  and  elimination, 
febrific  recuperation  termed  secondary  or  suppurative  fever 
by  authors,  is  reinstituted  by  the  conservative  energies  for 
appropriate  maturation  and  elimination, — will  he  not  inevita- 
bly recognize  in  this  duplicate  series  of  primary  and  conse- 


178 

cutive  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena,  the  beauti- 
ful principles  of  the  philosophy  of  medicine  opening  palpa- 
bly to  his  view  ?  Will  he  not  fully  comprehend  the  causes 
which  render  the  organization  spontaneously  eliminative  of 
the  pathological  phenomena  constituting  the  mildest  grades, 
and  see  that  the  medial  grades  will  require  appropriate  me- 
dication, because  arising  from  causes  either  of  higher  matu- 
rity, or  occurring  in  constitutions  more  predisposed  to  the 
reception  of  the  noxious  stimuli? 

But  it  is  from  an  appropriate  analysis  of  the  very  highest 
grades  of  this  disease, — of  the  confluent  variety  that  we  have 
unfolded  to  palpable  view,  the  richness  and  beauty  of  the 
true  philosophy  of  medicine.  Constitutions  of  strong  and 
vigorous  powers  of  resistance,  when  affected  by  the  patholo- 
gical phenomena  characterizing  this  disease,  in  a  very  de- 
pressive and  congestive  manner,  may,  and  do,  institute  cor- 
respondently  ardent  inflammatory  and  febrific  recuperation, 
for  elimination; — which,  if  suffered  to  progress  unchecked 
by  appropriate  medication,  will  run  to  the  production  of 
such  secondary  congestions  of  nervous  energy,  as  exhibit  to 
the  palpable  view  of  philosophic  observation,  the  conquering 
march  of  the  pathological  phenomena  to  disorganizations  and 
destructions  ;■ — but  if  appropriately  philosophical  treatment 
be  adopted,  may  be  rendered  conductive  to  thorough  elimi- 
nation.of  the  morbid  sensibilities  through  their  appropriate 
outlets. 

On  the  other  hand,  when  the  pathological  phenomena  have 
occurred  to  the  production  of  highly  concentrated  depres- 
sions and  congestions  of  nervous  energy  of  the  parts  recipi- 
ent of  the  noxious  stimuli,  and  in  constitutions  previously 
weakened  and  debilitated  from  any  causes,  or  in  aged  and 
debilitated  systems ; — the  inflammatory  and  febrific  recupera- 
tion for  evolving  the  poisonous  eruption,  and  fixing  it  for 
elimination  in  the  dermoid  structures,  will  be  weak,  feeble, 
and  unavailing;  and  the  recuperative  excitations  for  conduct- 
ing the  eruption  to  favourable  suppuration,  will  be  manifest- 
ed in  a  correspondently  feeble,  and  inefficient  manner; — and 


179 

spasms  and  convulsions,  subsultus  tendinum,  comatose,  apo- 
plectic, pulmonary  congestions,  &c.  will  be  presented  to  ob- 
servation, during  the  progress  of  such  unfavourable  recupera- 
tion, until  all  the  conservative  energies  of  the  organization 
are  overpowered  by  the  pathological  phenomena.  In  some 
cases  also,  of  this  disease,  as  in  other  highest  grades  from 
other  noxious  agents,  there  is  nothing  but  morbid  sensibility 
to  be  recognized  ; — no  recuperative  phenomena  ever  appear- 
ing, or  if  any,  manifested  exclusively  by  occasional  convul- 
sions, or  some  other  tumultuous  agitations  of  nervous  power, 
occasionally  elicited  by  the  oppressed  and  enfeebled  inner- 
vating centres  of  the  organization.  The  cases  of  this  dis- 
ease characterized  by  high  sthenic  recuperation,  when  not 
philosophically  medicated,  terminate  in  disorganizations,  and 
mortifications, — as  well,  as  those,  characterized  by  asthenic 
recuperation; — the  first,  from  too  excessive,  the  last  from  too 
diminished  excitement,  raised  by  the  conservative  powers; — 
both,  blocking  up,  and  suffocating  all  the  secretory  and  ex- 
cretory processes,  pertaining  to  elimination ; — and  very  often, 
dissolving  the  vital  fluid,  and  promoting  its  copious  exuda- 
tion from  various  sources,  &c. 

Do  the  causes  productive  of  hemorrhagic  diseases,  act  to 
the  depression  and  congestion  of  the  vital  energies  of  the  or- 
gans respectively,  and  specifically,  receptive  of  them?  Most 
undeniably: — excessive  high  living  for  example,  produces  in 
strong  and  healthy  constitutions  excessive  nutrition,  succeed- 
ed by  such  plethoric  condition  of  the  system,  as  depresses 
and  congests,  deranges  and  debilitates,  the  salutary  physi- 
ological phenomena  to  such  extent,  as  induces  the  conserva- 
tive powers  to  the  institution  of  primary  inflammatory  recu- 
peration in  the  capillary  circulation  of  the  organ,  or  organs, 
receptive  of  the  pathological  phenomena,  and  consecutive 
febrific  recuperation,  in  the  general  circulations,  which  are 
so  ardently  exerted,  as  to  cause  the  effusion  of  the  vital  fluid, 
either  b.y  rupturing  one,  or  more,  of  the  vessels,  or  occasion- 
ing the  exudation  of  it  through  the  extreme  vessels  in  the 
capillary  department  of  the  affected  region,  rendered  suf- 


180 

ficiently  toneless  by  excessive  action,  for  such  effusion  ; — 
unless  the  recuperative  excitations,  be  prevented  from  pro- 
ceeding to  such  hemorrhagic  extent,  by  appropriate  medica- 
tion. High  living  then,  is,  in  this  case,  the  remote  cause  of 
the  disease;  and  its  consequence  plethora,  the  pathological 
phenomenon,  or  proximate  cause,  of  such  recuperative  exci- 
tations, as  terminate  in  hemorrhagy,  if  not  prevented  by  ap- 
propriate medication  : — but,  when  thus  prevented,  the  patho- 
logical conditions  are  resolved  and  eliminated  from  the  con- 
stitution, through  one  or  more  of  the  legitimate  outlets,  for 
the  elimination  of  morbid  phenomena,from  whatsoever  causes 
arising.  Violent  exertions  of  various  kinds,  produce  such 
pathological  conditions  in  organs  predisposed  to  hemorrhagy, 
as  to  cause  the  innervating  centres  to  institute  the  necessary 
primary,  and  consecutive  recuperations,  to  produce  their  eli- 
mination from  the  organization.  Such  hemorrhagies  may  be 
denominated  idiopathic,  but  such  as  are  sequential  to  the 
deleterious  operations  of  ulcers,  calculi,  &c.  are  not  philoso- 
phically entitled  to  such  appellation. 

Hemorrhages  are  characterized,  like  all  other  morbid  sen- 
sibilities, arising  from  all  other  causes,  by  recuperative  phe- 
nomena assumptive  of  more  or  less  sthenic  or  asthenic  action, 
according  to  the  strength  and  vigour  of  the  constitutions 
respectively  receptive  of  the  pathological  conditions  consti- 
tuting and  originating  them. 

Malconformation  is  a  pathological  state  of  the  constitu- 
tion ; — the  remote  causes  of  it  far  off; — but  to  be  satisfacto- 
rily traced  to  an  assimilative  defectiveness  of  the  original 
inceptive  germs  of  reproduction,  of  one,  or  of  both  parents. 
Hemorrhages  from  this  cause  may,  therefore,  be  included 
among  the  idiopathic; — but  such  as  arise  from  lesions  origi- 
nated by  the  destructive  action  of  rough  calculi,  erosions  of 
ulcers,  &c.  and  such  as  arise  during  the  progress,  or  near  the 
termination  of  malignant  fevers,  from  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena constituting  them,  gnawing  their  way  to  destruction, 
and  rendering  the  extreme  vessels  toneless  and  patulous,  are 
not  entitled  to  such  appellation;  because  sequential  to  the 


181 

deleterious  operations  of  tlie  pathological  phenomena  respec- 
tively pertaining  to  the  diseases  in  which  such  hemorrhages 
occur;  and  they  should  therefore  be  denominated  symptoma- 
tic. The  diseases  in  which  such  symptonlatic  hemorrhages 
occur,  are  eitlier  primitively,  or  consecutively,  and  ulti- 
mately considered,  characterized  by  the  asthenic  diathesis  of 
recuperation  in  its  highest  degree. 

We  thus  see  that  the  most  partial  analysis  of  the  patholo- 
gical and  recuperative  phenomena,  characterizing  diseases 
arising  from  whatsoever  causes,  results  in  the  complete  con- 
firmation of  our  philosophy. 

There  is  not  a  single  pathological  or  recuperative  pheno- 
menon that  can  be  made  presentive  to  observation,  through 
the  depressive  operations  of  any  causes  acting  on  the  organi- 
zation, which  will  oppose  any  thing  like  a  barrier  to  our 
arriving  at  such  philosophical  confirmation.  If  there  be  any, 
let  it  be  brought  forward  for  examination  and  refutation. 
Although  it  be  irnpossible,  through  such  observations  as  may 
be  deduced  from  dissections,  vivisections,  stethoscopical 
explorations,  or  any  other  investigating  processes  within  the 
reach  of  man's  ability,  to  arrive  at  the  knowledge  of  the 
ultiniate  essences  of  the  causes  of  diseases; — yet,  through  the 
inductive  process  of  ratiocination,  we  may  attain  such  know- 
ledge concerning  the  respective  malignancy  of  composition 
pertaining  to  the  causative  agents,  as  will  enable  us  to  phi- 
losophically put  in  requisition  appropriate  measures  for  pre- 
venting in  all  cases,  to  much  extent,  much  of  such  malig- 
nancy of  composition,  as  they  would  become  assumptive  of 
without  recourse  to  such  measures;  and  to  greatly  meliorate 
their  operations  on  the  organization  of  man,  when  they  can- 
not be,  to  such  favourable  extent,  prevented,  by  the  appro- 
priate use  of  such  antiseptic  agents  within  the  respective 
spheres  of  their  respectively  deleterious  operations,  as 
through  experimental  elicitation,  have  been  found  most  phi- 
losophically appropriate  to  the  production  of  such  meliora- 
tion. After  thus  far  ascertaining  all  the  knowledge  of  the 
respective  causative  agents  of  diseases,  the  respective  patho- 
24 


182 

logical  phenomena  sequent  to  their  operations  on  the  organi- 
zation in  the  direct  series  of  causes  and  effects,  become  tho- 
roughly cognizable  to  intuitive  demonstration,  through  the 
unerring  recognition  arising  from  the  application  of  the  self- 
evident  principles  developed  by  our  philosophy. 

An  examination  of  any  of  the  diseases  nosologized  as  ca- 
chectic, by  Cullen,  will  result  in  similar  confirmation. 

The  remote  causes  of  these  diseases  are  to  be  recognized 
as  arising  from  noxious  agents,  without  the  organization  in 
the  physical  creations,  operating  to  the  deterioration  of  the 
solids  and  fluids,  and  producing  debility,  emaciation,  and 
cachectic  vitiation  of  the  component  elements  of  the  organic 
structures  of  the  constitution; — or  they  are  to  be  recognized 
as  arising  from  morbid  stimuli  secondarily  engendered 
in  the  interior  of  the  system,  and  producing  similar  con- 
sequences;— although  strict  philosophy  requires  that  the 
formation  of  such  stimuli  should  be  considered  sequential  to 
the  malignant  influences  of  their  respectively  more  or  less 
remote  causes,  without  the  organization; — to  such  causes,  for 
instance,  as  are  productive  of  hereditary  vitiation,  malcon- 
formation,  &c. 

However  variably  characterized  by  their  respectively  cau- 
sative variations  these  diseases  may  be,  both  pathologically 
and  recuperatively  considered,  they  are  all  to  be  cured,  when 
curable,  through  the  sanative  operations  of  nature,  or  through 
appropriately  philosophic  medication,  conducting  the  nervous 
energies  of  the  organization  to  the  institution  of  the  requisite 
series  of  salutary  recuperations,  to  produce  elimination  of 
the  pathological  phenomena  respectively  originating  them, 
through  the  only  legitimate  outlets — the  secretions  and  ex- 
cretions. 

Both  the  remote  and  predisposing  causes  of  phthisis,  for 
instance,  are  generally  to  be  found  in  constitutional  parental 
vitiation,  or  malconformation,  or  both.  However  numerous 
under  such  circumstances  may  be  the  exciting  causes  which 
develope  to  observation  the  deplorable  pathological  pheno- 
mena characterizing  this  disease,  we  shall  now  mention  but 


183 

one  the  most  common, — cold.  This  agent  applied  to  the 
mucous  membranes  of  any  of  the  departments  of  the  pulmo- 
nary region,  debilitates,  (but  not  by  its  sedative  operation,) 
depresses  and  congests,  their  nervous  energies.  This  conges- 
tive condition  of  the  lungs  is  relieved  for  the  time,  by  the 
conservative  powers  instituting  such  slight  inflammatory  re- 
cuperation, as  is  necessary  to  eliminate  the  pathological  phe- 
nomena by  resolution,  as  evidenced  by  more  or  less  copious 
mucous  expectoration.  The  lungs  once  pathologized  in  this 
manner,  are  liable  to  become  so  repeatedly  afterwards,  from 
the  slightest  application  of  the  same  cause;  and  they  do 
therefore,  usually  become  repeatedly  in  this  manner  affect- 
ed, and  similar  recuperative  excitation  is  as  repeatedly  insti- 
tuted, for  eliminating  the  pathological  phenomena  in  the 
same  manner,  but  each  time  ivith  more  and  more  difficulty, 
until  the  pathological  conditions  become  incapable  of  re- 
moval by  similar  means; — when  the  radical  centres  of  vitaU 
ity  institute  febrific  recuperation,  to  aid  the  local  in  effecting 
elimination  of  the  pathological  phenomena.  This  elimination 
may  be,  and  often  is,  thus  effected  by  resolution,  for  several 
times  in  succession,  on  every  fresh  application  of  the  causa- 
tive agent;  until,  at  length,  the  recuperative  excitations,  un- 
der the  most  appropriate  medication,  become  unable  to  dis- 
lodge and  expel  the  pathological  phenomena  by  resolution. 
The  pathological  phenomena  become  thus  far  eliminateifor 
the  time  being,  by  the  recuperative  excitations,  but  not  tho- 
roughly, for  a  reason  to  be  soon  mentioned.  After  this  they 
are  expelled  still  more  and  more  imperfectly,  for  a  few- 
times,  by  more  or  less  copious  mucous  and  purulent  expec- 
toration, till  the  suppurative  termination  becomes  ultimately 
fixed  in  one  or  both  lungs.  This  suppuration  is  now  the  re- 
sult of  the  best  recuperative  effort  that  can  be  made  by  the 
conservative  powers;  and  is  available  under  appropriate  me- 
dication in  protracting  existence,  in  many  cases,  for  a  great 
many  years: — but  the  total  eradication  of  the  pathological 
phenomena  becomes,  from  their  primary  formation,  from  the 
nature  of  the  causes  remotely  productive  of  them,  impossi- 


184 

ble; — because  the  constitution  is  vitiated  and  depraved  by 
the  hereditary  noxious  stimuli,  to  the  preclusive  extent  of 
exciting  such  salutary  recuperative  excitations,  as  will  result 
in  effective  elimination,  aided  ever  so  much  by  appropriate 
medication  : — the  fluids  are  deteriorated  and  poisoned  be- 
yond the  power  of  salutary  recuperation;  and  unless  they, 
and  the  solids,  which  are  similarly  saturated  with  the  noxious 
stimuli,  could  by  some  medication  be  neutralized,  and  their 
baneful  consequences  expelled  from  the  system;  the  disease 
thus  arising,  must  be  philosophically  considered  incurable: — 
because,  all  the  recuperative  agents  of  the  organization  are 
participative  of  the  noxious  stimuli,  and  therefore  rendered 
incapable  of  effecting  thorough  elimination; — and  for  the 
same  reasons,  that  the  poisonous  effects  ensuing  from  the 
operation  of  many  other  noxious  agents  cannot  be  eradicat- 
ed:— those,  for  instance,  originating  genuine  hydrophobia, 
and  those  cases  of  yellow  and  other  malignant  and  pestilen- 
tial fevers,  when  arising  from  highly  concentrated  stimuli 
entering  the  circulations,  and  poisoning  them  to  the  irrecu- 
peratiye  extent; — besides,  malconformation  of  itself,  or  in 
combination  with  hereditary  vitiation,  proves  in  all  such 
cases  an  effective  bar  to  salutary  recuperation. 

The  remote  and  predisposing  causes  of  scrofula  of  highest 
grade,  are  to  be  philosophically  recognized  and  appreciated, 
in  jjj^arental  organic  vitiation.  Syphilis  is  in  like  manner 
transmissible,  by  either  one  or  both  parents,  to  their  off- 
spring;— like  causes  produce  like  effects; — and  there  is  no 
difficulty  in  recognizing  the  transmissibility  of  such  diseases 
by  parents  to  their  offspring, — when  it  is  considered  that 
the  orgasmal  products  from  their  venereal  congress,  must  of 
necessity  be  deeply  saturated  with  their  respectively  yitiat- 
ing  causes.  It  is  self-evidently  impossible,  that  the  reproduc- 
tive germs  thus  vitiated,  should  progress  to  the  maturity  of 
healthy  organization.  These  diseases,  therefore,  and  many 
others,  when  hereditary,  and  conseqaently  of  highest  grades, 
are  not  to  be  cured,  except  by  and  through  the  agency  of 
such  medication,  as  will  neutralize  their  respective  poisons, 


185 

and  eliminate  their  morbid  effects  from  the  system,  by  both 
appropriate  local  and  general  recuperation.  These  diseases 
must  undeniably,  therefore,  be  considered  as  specific  dis- 
eases. It  most  assuredly  will  not  by  any  medical  philoso- 
pher be  denied,  that  liydrophobia  is  a  specific  disease, — oc- 
casioned by  the  absorption  of  a  specific  noxious  virus  into 
the  circulations,  and  vitiating  the  organization  to  the  preven- 
tion of  institulihg  any  such  primary,  consecutive  and  recu- 
perative excitations,  as  under  appropriate  medication  might 
lead  to  elimination.  Nor  will  it  be  denied,  that  the  diseases 
originated  by  the  poisons  of  venomous  serpents  entering  the 
circulations,  are  specific; — or  that  those  arising- from  the 
noxious  agents  causative  of  small-pox,  measles,  scarlet  fever, 
&c.  are  specific.  These  will  all  be  admitted  to  be  specific 
morbid  sensibilities,  or  diseases,  because  obviously  arising 
from  their  respectively  specific  morbid  stimuli. 

But  true  philosophy  does  not  award  respective  specificity 
of  character  to  these  diseases,  with  more  undeniable  cer- 
tainty than  it  does  to  all  other  morbid  sensibilities  whatso- 
ever, and  from  whatsoever  causes  arising. 

We  have  most  assuredly,  therefore,  presented  to  the  in- 
evitable recognition  and  appreciation  of  the  talented  and  ex- 
perienced members  of  the  medical  profession,  the  universal 
philosophy  of  medicine, — have  examined  a  sufficient  number 
of  the  highest  grades  of  diseases,  arising  from  their  respec- 
tively causative  agents,  to  prove  beyond  the  possibility  of 
refutation,  the  self-evidency  of  all  our  propositions,  and 
the  principles  deduced  from  them, — and  found  them  conclu- 
sively operative  in  elucidating  to  the  unerring  certainty  of 
intuitive  demonstration,  all  the  physiological  phenomena 
pertaining  to  the  nervous  organization  in  its  salutary  condi- 
tion, and  the  nature  and  action  of  all  such  physiological  or 
recuperative  phenomena  as  are  manifested  to  observation 
during  the  pathologized  condition  of  the  organization  from 
whatsoever  causative  agents  arising. 

We  shall  therefore  conclude,  that  as  all  the  numerous 
noxious  stimuli  are  specifically  different  from  each  other  in 


186 

malignancy  of  composition,  and  that  consequently  whenever 
they  effect  their  entrance  into  the  organization  by  over- 
powering its  elective  attraction  for  salutary  stimuli,  exclu- 
sively operative  in  the  capillary  department  of  it,  both  in- 
ternally and  externally  considered,  they  will  consequently 
originate  correspondenlly  specific  pathological  phenomena, 
which  will  be  proximately  operative  to  the  production  of 
correspondently  specific  recuperative  phenomena, — the  de- 
duction is  inevitable,  that  all  the  noxious  stimuli  are  pro- 
ductive of  diseases,  unequivocally  entitled  to  specificity  of 
character,  etiologically,  pathologically,  and  recuperatively 
considered". 

We  conclude  also  from  evidence  equally  subject  to  obser- 
vation, and  appropriate  recognition  and  appreciation, — that 
all  the  diseases  occasioned  by  all  the  salutary  stimuli,  from 
without  and  within  the  organization,  when  acting  either  ex- 
cessively, or  deficiently,  far  above,  or  beneath,  the  normal 
standard,  are  characterized  by  pathological  phenomena  spe- 
cifically different  and  variant  from  each  other,  and  therefore 
to  be  philosophically  considered  as  specific  diseases. 

And  lastly,  we  have  equally  undeniable  evidence  to  con- 
duct us  to  the  conclusion,  that  all  the  morbid  sensibilities 
primitively  originated  by  causes  far  remote, — as  those  pro- 
ductive of  hereditary  vitiation,  malconformation,  &c. — or 
those  engendered  by  secondary  causes  acting  specifically  de- 
leteriously  on  the  fluids,  or  the  dermoid  and  parenchymatous 
structures  of  the  organization,  &c.  however  remote  or  near 
their  primitive  or  original  causes  maybe, — are  all  specifical- 
ly different  from  each  other,  and  indubitably  entitled  to  the 
appellation  of  specific  diseases:— and  so  are  all  the  diseases 
arranged  under  the  heads  of  surgery,  midwifery,  &c.  equally 
specific; — and  all  the  peculiar  diseases  pertaining  to  women 
and  children,  and  to  men  and  women,  in  the  different  pe- 
riods of  life,  from  differences  of  organization,  and  functional 
operation,  &c.  and  from  an  infinite  variety  of  causes  specifi- 
cally different  from  each  other,  acting  to  specific  pathologiza- 
tion  of  organizations  more  or  less  specifically  differing  from 


187 

each  other  in  composition  and  action,  normally  and  abnormal- 
Ij',  equally  entitled  to  the  appellation  of  specific. 

True  philosophy,  therefore,  considers  all  diseases  whatso- 
ever that  ever  did,  or  ever  can  occur,  from  whatsoever  va- 
riety of  causation,  as  specific.  As,  therefore,  all  the  patho- 
logical phenomena  characterizing  all  diseases  arising  from 
all  causes,  operate  to  the  derangement,  depression,  and  con- 
gestion of  the  salutary  physiological  conditions  of  the  part  or 
parts  of  the  organization  recipient  of  them,  so  they  are  all 
philosophically  entitled  to  he  denominated  congestive.  All 
diseases  are  therefore  specific  and  congestive,  or  specifically 
congestive. 

This  simple  corollary  comprises  our  enunciation  of  the 
total  philosophy  of  medicine,  and  is  irresistibly  sequential 
to  the  inductive  ratiocination  which  we  have  presented  to 
consideration,  from  a  beautiful  series  of  self-evident  propo- 
sitions, commencing  with  the  will  of  Deity,  for  their  pri- 
mary link. 

We  are  now  therefore  prepared  to  unfold  such  General 
Therapeutic  Philosophy  pertaining  to  the  Science  of  Me- 
dicine, as  should  be  put  under  appropriately  specific  requi- 
sition, for  the  appropriately  specific  medication  of  all  diseases, 
from  whatsoever  causative  agents  arising. 

We  have  thus  approached  as  near  to  positively  mathema- 
tical demonstration,  as  the  true  philosophy  pertaining  to  the 
nervous  organization  of  man  will  nov/  or  ever  permit.  This 
truth  will  meet  with  unavoidable  admission,  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  man  is  self-evidently  not  a  machine  to  be  re- 
solved into  analytic  demonstration,  but  a  mortal  and  immor- 
tal being; — therefore  neither  sufficiently  terrestrial,  for  che- 
mical, or  celestial,  for  psycological  analysis; — consequently, 
that  positively  mathematical  demonstration  is  unattainable 
through  either  or  both  processes  of  investigation.  But  not- 
withstanding such  demonstration  from  the  various  functional 
operations  pertaining  to  the  variously  structured  organs  of 
the  nervous  organization  of  man  be  now  and  forever  impos- 
sible, yet,  through  the  inductive  process  of  reasoning,  we 


188 

have  reached  such  intuitive  demonstration  as  the  varied  exi- 
gences of  the  organization  when  assumptive  of  pathological 
conditions,  from  whatsoever  causative  agents,  can  ever  re- 
quire, for  directing  us  to  the  institution  of  such  medication 
as  win  be  the  most  appropriately  adapted  to  effect  their  reso- 
lution and  expulsion  from  the  system, -and  restoring  it  to  its 
elective  attraction  for,  and  elaboration  of,  such  salutary  sti- 
muli as  are  required  both  from  without  and  within  the  orga- 
nization, for  the  production  of  healthy  excitations. 

We  are  therefore  prepared  to  institute  for  our  regulation 
and  ouidance,  the  one  and  only  therapeutic  axiom,  that  the. 
exigences  of  the  organization  when  pathologized  from  what- 
soever cause  or  causes,  can  now  or  ever  require: — for,  that 
the  philosophy  of  nature  is  one  and  the  same,  both  now  and 
forever,  in  a  general  sense  considered,  is  a  self-evident  pro- 
position. 

And  as  our  philosophy  indubitably  recognizes  and  conclu- 
sively appreciates,  that  the  total  science  of  medication  con- 
sists in  appropriately  regulating  and  controlling  the  recupe- 
rative excitations  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  for  re- 
solving and  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities  from  the 
organization,  from  whatsoever  causative  agents  originative, — 
and  in  raising  and  conducting  appropriate  recuperative  exci- 
tations by  appropriate  medication,  to  the  elimination  of  mor- 
bid sensibilities,  whenever  the  conservative  energies  of  the 
pathologized  organization  are  inadequate  to  the  production 
of  such  eliminative  excitations; — and  in  resolving  pathologi- 
cal and  recuperative  congestions  and  disorganizations,  when- 
ever they  have  been  suffered  to  occur,  either  through  unphi- 
losophical  medication,  or  the  unchecked  operations  of  the 
conservative  powers  : — so  it  follows,  that  all  medicating 
agents,  for  the  treatment  of  all  diseases,  should  possess  the 
power  of  acting  on,  or  in,  the  organization,  in  a  manner  suf- 
ficiently stimulant,  to  overpower  the  morbid  stimulant  ope- 
rations of  the  causative  agents,  and  thereby  eliminate  them, 
and  the  pathological  conditions  induced  by  them  from  the 
organization.     This  is  the  legitimate  corollary  of  legitimate 


189 

philosophy,  and  universally  applicable  for  scientifically  effect- 
ing the  elimination  of  all  diseases  whatever  from  the  organi- 
zation. 

Simple  as  this  therapeutical  axiom  may  appear  to  be,  it  is 
the  only  one  required  by  true  philosophy, — the  only  one 
which  will  be  recognized  as  available  at  the  bed-side  of  the 
afflicted  by  every  talented  and  experienced  practitioner  of 
medicine,  whether  he  admits  the  truth  of  our  philosophy  to 
its  fullest  extent  or  not.  But  how  is  it  possible  for  any  such 
practitioner  not  to  admit  the  truth  of  this  philosophy  ?  He 
certainly  must  often  have  arrived  at  the  point  of  such  recog- 
nition, from  the  frequent  reflections  and  trains  of  reasoning, 
which  he  must  have  instituted,  while  investigating  the  causes 
of  diseases, — their  pathological  effects  on,  and  in,  the  orga- 
nization, and  the  salutary  excitations  elicited  by  the  conser- 
vative powers  for  their  elimination.  And  particularly,  when- 
ever such  practitioner  has  succeeded,  by  appropriately  potent 
medication,  exhibited  and  applied  in  appropriately  philoso- 
phical manner,  and  with  appropriate  perseverance,  in  un- 
locking the  organization,  when  irrecuperatively  pathologized 
by  noxious  agents, — to  the  production  of  such  inflammatory 
and  febrific  recuperations  as,  through  the  continuance  of  ap- 
propriate medication  have  been  rendered  conductive  to  the 
elimination  of  the  morbific  agents,  and  their  deleterious  con- 
sequences, through  the  resolving  efficacy  pertaining  to  the 
restoration  of  appropriate  secretion  and  excretion ; — he  must 
have  been  on  the  very  point  of  such  recognition, — and  from 
having  adopted  the  same  train  of  reasoning  which  has  enabled 
us  to  unfold  the  true  and  total  philosophy  of  medicine. 

It  is  to  such  talented  practitioners, — such  practical  medi- 
cal philosophers,  that  we  address  our  present  outlines  of  the 
philosophy  of  medicine  for  candid  perusal  and  merited  ap- 
preciation. We  are  not  writing  for  routinists  and  empirics, 
and  court  not  their  approbation; — to  them,  all  we  have  writ- 
ten, or  may  write,  will  be  but  as  dead  letters. 

We  confidently  address  therefore  exclusively  the  merito- 
25 


190 

rious  practical  philosophers  of  our  profession,.who  arealoney 
capable  of  testing  the  merits  of  the  philosophy  which  we  are 
unfolding  to  them.  All  the  intelligent  members  of  our  pro- 
fession  who  have  duly  profited  by  sufficiently  ample  experi- 
ence, must  admit  that  we  have  indicated  in  general  terms 
the  total  science  of  all  such  varied  medication  as  should  be 
put  in  appropriately  thorough  requisition,  for  the  resolution 
and  expulsion  of  all  morbid  sensibilities  whatever  from  the 
organization ; — whether  they  be  more  or  less  rcstrictedly 
local,  or  more  or  less  extensively,  (though  still  locally,)  im- 
plicating a  greater  or  lesser  number  of  its  departments,  how- 
ever varied  they  may  be,  in  their  organic  structures,  or  func- 
tional actions.  They  will  also  admit,  that  we  have  instituted 
and  proclaimed  the  one,  and  only  therapeutical  axiom,  ne- 
cessary to  be  recognized  as  philosophically  operative  and  di- 
rective at  the  bed-side  of  the  afflicted,  to  the  appropriate  se- 
lection of  such  remediate  agents  as  are  required  for  fulfilling 
the  specific  indications  there  presenting  themselves; — and 
that  such  Remediate  agents  should  in  all  cases  be  more  than 
fully  correspondent  in  their  stimulant  operation,  with  the  sti- 
mulant operation  of  the  causative  'agents,  which  have  patho- 
logized  the  organization.  It  should  never  for  a  moment  be 
forgotten,  that  in  all  cases,  of  all  diseases,  the  causative  agents 
are  still  in  action  ; — that  they  have  originated  the  patholo- 
gical conditions  through  morbid  stimulant  action; — and  that 
it  is  self-evidently  impossible,  that  their  elimination  from  the 
system  can  be  efiected,  in  any  other  way,  than  through  the 
agency  of  such  superior  stimulation,  as  will  overpower  the 
stimulant  operation  of  the  causative  agents, — and  eliminate 
them,  and  their  effects,  from  the  organization. 

To  this  rule  of  medication  there  can  be  no  exception; — 
for  there  is  no  sedative  agent  in  nature.  It  is  utterly  absurd 
to  suppose,  that,  because  lightning,  prussic  acid,  digitalis^ 
opium,  &c.  will  in  sufficient  quantities  kill,  either  instantly 
or  nearly  so, — that  they  produce  such  effects  through  their 
sedative  operations. 

Is  lightning,  because  it  totally  destroys  all  the  radical  vital 


191 

powers  of  the  organization  instantaneously,  when  recipient 
of  it  in  sufficient  quantity, — a  sedative  agent? 

Like  all  other  physical  agents  it  is  a  stimulant, — and  a  sti- 
mulant of  the  very  highest  grade; — but,  it  is  to  be  noted, 
that  it  is  at  the  same  time  a  poisonous  stimulant  of  very 
highest  grade,  in  its  most  concentrated  state.  Let  us  examine 
this  important  portion  of  the  philosophy  of  medicine  a  little 
more  in  detail.  It  will  not  be  denied  that  this  agent  in  very 
small  quantities,  particularly  when  not  highly  matured  in 
malignancy,  acts  stimulantly  on  the  system  receptive  of  it, — 
and  to  ordinary  observation  may  appear  to  raise  and  exalt 
its  vital  powers.  But  this  is  not  the  case: — as  a  noxious  sti- 
mulus, the  cerebral  radicle  of  vitality  becomes  instantaneous- 
ly percipient  of  its  injurious  operation,  and  raises  with  nearly 
equal' celerity  increased  actions  in  those  departments  of  the 
organization  that  effect  elimination  of  all  morbid  sensibilities 
whatsoever; — raises  recuperative  excitations  for  eliminating 
it,  and  its  pernicious  effects,  from  the  system  : — it  is  there- 
fore, an  agent  in  a  general  sense  considered,  operating  in  the 
same  injurious  and  poisonous  manner  as  alcohol  in  a  slight 
dose,  when  taken  by  a  person  unaccustomed  to  it.  Both 
these  poisons  when  thus  applied  in  small  quantities,  do  not 
affect  the  organization  to  much  perceptible  depression  of  its 
nervous  energies,  not  so  much  so,  as  to  prevent  the  conser- 
vative powers  from  instituting  recuperative  excitations  coex- 
istently,  or  nearly  so,  with  the  entrance  of  the  noxious 
agents; — because  these  noxious  stimuli  are  among  the  most 
instantaneously  diffusible  noxious  agents,  and  consequently 
incite  the  nervous  organization  to  operate  with  correspondent 
celerity  to  the  production  of  recuperative  excitations,  when- 
ever it  becomes  thus  slightly  pathologized  by  them.  As  is 
the  celerity  of  action  of  noxious  diffusible  stimuli,  such  will 
be  the  celerity  of  recuperative  excitation  succeeding  their 
application  to  the  organization,  in  such  small  quantities,  as 
produce  very  slight  depressions  of  its  nervous  energies : — 
hence  the  utility  of  such  diffusible  noxious  stimuli  as  reme- 
diate agents,  when  administered  in  such  small  quantities,  as 


192 

may  prove  so  slightly  depressive  of  nervous  energy,  that 
the  conservative  powers  may  be  rendered  instantaneously 
operative  to  recuperative  excitation. 

Either  of  these  noxious  agents  when  applied  to  the  organ-    . 
ization  in  somewhat  larger  quantities,  produce  depressions 
and  congestions  of  nervous  energy,  which  become  more  pal- 
pable to  observation; — consequently,  not  so  rapidly  succeed- 
ed by  recuperative  excitations. 

When  they  are  applied  in  still  larger  quantities,  they  are 
productive  of  pathological  conditions  characterized  by  still 
deeper  depressions  of  nervous  energy ; — and  the  resisting 
powers  of  the  organization  thus  pathologized,  must  be  strong 
and  vigorous,  or  they  will  not  recover  from  it  so  thoroughly, 
as  to  institute  free,  open  and  ardent  sthenic  recuperation : — 
and  if  still  more  deeply  pathologized,  recuperation  will  either 
be  not  raised  at  all,  or  if  raised,  feebly  and  ineffectively.  But 
it  may  be  observed,  that  although  the  recuperative  excita- 
tions in  such  aggravated  congestions  of  vital  power,  be  so  in- 
efficiently raised  by  the  conservative  powers  of  nature ; — 
they  may  still  in  many  cases,  be  so  favourably  raised  by  ap- 
propriate medication,  as  to  be  rendered  conductive  to  the 
elimination  of  the  noxious  stimuli,  and  their  effects  from  the 
organization,  through  the  legitimate  outlets. 

Have  these  noxious  stimuli  therefore,  applied  in  the  seve- 
ral degrees  mentioned,  displayed  to  philosophical  recogni- 
tion, any  sedative  operation?  Have  they  not  effected  their 
entrance  into  the  system  by  their  stimulant  operation, — by 
overpowering  its  elective  attractiveness  for  salutary  stimuli? 
And  are  they  not  poisonous  stimuli, — and  consequently,  in- 
stantaneously on  their  entrance  depressive  of  the  nervous 
energy  of  the  nervous  organization,  according  to  the  quanti- 
ties or  qualities  received,  and  the  powers  of  nature  to  resist 
the  extension  of  their  deleterious  operations?  And  when 
they  enter  the  organization  in  still  larger  and  more  malig- 
nant quantities,  and  poison  its  centres  of  innervation  to  in- 
stant destruction, — can  philosophy  recognize  it  to  have  been 
effected  through  their  sedative  influences? 


193 

These  questions  need  no  answers.  The  same  reasoning 
applies  to  the  operations  of  all  the  noxious  agents,  however 
differently  and  specifically  productive  they  may  be  of  speci- 
fically different  pathological  conditions; — they  all  act  sti- 
mulantly,  but  poisonously,  depressively,  and  congestivcly, 
never  sedatively, — never  to  the  exaltation  of  the  powers  of 
the  organization; — for  such  exaltations  or  recuperations 
whenever  they  are  raised  at  all,  arc  always  raised  by  the 
conservative  powers  of  nature  for  eliminating  the  pathologi- 
cal phenomena  through  the  legitimate  emunctories.  As  long 
as  life  lasts,  it  lasts  through  the  operation  of  stimuli, — and 
exclusively  through  the  operation  of  such  salutary  stimuli, 
as  the  organization  is  capable  of  receiving  and  elaborating, 
both  in  its  salutary  and  pathologized  conditions. 

We  have  proved  to  intuitive  demonstration,  that  no  one 
of  the  highest  poisonous  agents  ever  act  sedatively  on  the 
organization, — and  however  ably  and  meritoriously,  in  many 
respects,  any  of  the  writers  on  sedation  and  debility  may 
have  canvassed  this  important  subject,  they  have  not  done 
so  under  the  recognition  of  true  philosophy. 

Antimony,  lead,  digitalis,  &c. — all  act  stimulantly,  but  in 
degrees  inferior  to  many  other  noxious  agents; — therefore 
in  appropriate  quantities,  in  such  pathological  and  recupera- 
tive conditions  of  the  organization  as  are  appropriate  to 
them,  may  be  used  beneficially  as  remediate  agents; — but 
most  assuredly,  the  depressing  passions,  as  they  are  errone- 
ously called,  cannot  be  philosophically  considered  as  seda- 
tive agents: — they  are  pathological  phenomena,  in  many 
cases,  occurring  so  concentratedly  as  to  extinguish  total  vi- 
tality almost  instantaneously; — but  they  effect  this  through 
their  stimulating,  and  at  the  same  time  depressive  and  con- 
gestive effects  on  the  organization, — and  arise  from  their  re-  ' 
spectively  specific  causes,  like  all  other  pathological  condi- 
tions— and  therefore,  might  philosophically  be  denominated 
the  depressed, — but  not,  depressing  passions.  Are  not  au- 
thors therefore  very  unphiJosophically  and  unprofitably  en- 
gaged, while  enumerating  and  enrolling  the  long  list  of  these 


194 

depressed  passions, — these  pathological  conditions,  amongst 
the  veritable  causes  of  diseases?  And  are  not  physicians 
very  unprofitably,  as  well  as  unphilosophically  engaged, 
during  the  prevalence  of  baleful  epidemics,  whilst  proclaim- 
ing to  the  inhabitants  the  necessity  of  preserving  themselves 
exempt  from  the  operation  of  these  depressed  passions? 
Should  they  not  rather  forbear  to  mention  at  all  these  de- 
pressed passions  on  such  calamitous  occasions,  and  incite 
them  to  the  use  of  all  the  means  most  philosophically  adapt- 
ed to  keep  all  their  affective  emotions  in  the  calm  and  equa- 
ble tenor  of  salutary  operation? 

These  questions  are  easily  answered: — for  it  is  unques- 
tionably highly  unphilosophical,  as  well  as  unphilothropical, 
to  proclaim  during  the  prevalence  of  plagues,  yellow  fevers, 
choleras,  or  other  malignant  pestilences,  that  fear  will  most 
certainly  invite  the  entrance  of  the  noxious  agents  into  the 
organization. 

They  have  already  entered,  and  produced  their  most  pro- 
minentpathological  phenomenon, — fear, — which  imperiously 
demands  such  appropriate  medication  as  may  eliminate  it, 
and  its  causative  agent,  forthwith  from  the  system; — or  its 
resisting  powers  will  be  rapidly  mastered  to  the  extent  of 
irrecuperation,  and  consequent  destruction.  An  appropriate 
joyous  excitation  of  the  system  is  indispensably  necessary  to 
the  production  and  continuance  of  it  in  a  healthy  condition; 
but  by  many  causes  it  may  be  so  inordinately  excited,  as  to 
terminate  vitality  almost  instantaneously; — or,  according  to 
the  varied  degrees  of  super-excitement,  correspondently  va- 
ried pathological  conditions  will  become  supervenient  and 
excitative  to  the  production  of  correspondently  varied  recu- 
perative excitations,  for  effecting  their  elimination  from  the 
■  organization. 

If  then,  this  super-joyous  excitation  from  appropriate 
causes,— from  salutary  causes  acting  in  excess, — may  end  in 
pathological  conditions; — it  is  equally  evident,  that  a  lower- 
ed condition  of  the  healthy  joyous  excitation  of  the  organi- 
zation, may  occur  from  a  variety  of  causes  acting  stimulant- 


195 

ly,  but  at  the  same  time  dcprcssively,  on  it,  to  the  proiluc- 
tion  of  pathological  conditions,  more  or  less  conccntrative 
and  fixed,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  causes  thus  patho- 
lo"-ically  operative,  and  the  predlsponent  condition  of  the 
system  receptive  of  them. 

This  is  the  only  true  philosophy  pertaining  to  these  de- 
pressing passions,  as  they  are  so  unphilosophically  denomi- 
nated:—they  are  all  pathological  conditions,  arising  respec- 
tively from  their  appropriate  causes,  and  to  be  eliminated 
from  the  organization  by  super-stimulant  recuperative  excita- 
tion, or  appropriate  medication; — for  there  are  no  sedative 
agents  to  be  found  in  nature,  or  prepared  by  art,  to  medicate 
to  elimination  such,  or  any  other,  pathological  phenomena, 
from  any  other  causes  arising.  But  there  are  stimulant  me- 
dicating agents  to  be  found  in  nature,  and  prepared  by  art, 
to  enable  the  organization  when  pathologized  by  causes  pro- 
ductive of  ab-excitation,  to  become  operative  to  the  pro- 
duction of  such  recuperative  excitations,  as  by  the  continu- 
ance of  medication  appropriate  to  such  recuperative  state  of 
the  organization,  may  eliminate  them,  and  their  pathological 
effects; — and  there  are  also  such  stimulating  medicating 
agents  to  be  found,  and  prepared,  as  by  appropriately  philo- 
sophical management  may  be  rendered  operative  in  lower- 
ing the  pathological  conditions  which  have  arisen  from 
causes  productive  of  super-excitation,  to  tlie  standard  points 
required  by  the  central  powers  of  the  nervous  organization, 
to  the  elicitation  of  effective  recuperative  eliminations.  All 
medicating  agents  therefore,  act  stimulantly  in  curing  dis- 
eases from  whatsoever  causes  arising. 

It  is  owing  to  ignorance,  or  want  of  attention  to  this  phi- 
losophy, on  which  our  therapeutical  axiom  is  based,  that  the 
too  prevalent  and  fashionable  Broussaian  plan  of  medication 
is  so  unsuccessful,  particularly  in  resolving  and  eliminating 
the  morbid  sensibilities,  constituting  not  only  the  highest 
grades  of  diseases,  pertaining  to  southern  and  intertropical, 
but  to  all  other  climates. 
This  fashionable  medication  consists  almost  exclusively, 


196 

in  adopting  the  same  train  or  routine  of  ineflScient  ontological 
medical  entities,  as  they  may  be  philosophically  denominated, 
for  the  elimination  of  all  diseases,  from  all  causes  arising, 
however  palpably  mild  or  severe,  or  complicatedly  conges- 
tive, they  may  be  presented  to  observation  by  their  severally 
varied  pathological  and  recuperative  manifestations. 

Let  us  examine  this  ontological  system  of  medication  a 
little  more  in  detail^ontological,  because  recognizing  gas- 
tritis or  gastro-enteritis  as  a  presiding  deity,  regulating  and 
controlling  all  the  morbid  and  salutary  actions,,  sequential  to 
the  operation  of  the  causative  agents,  and  moulding  them 
into  fac  similes,  for  characterizing  nearly  all  the  ills  that 
flesh  and  blood  are,  or  can  be  made,  heir  to; — and  inevitably 
therefore  leading  all  its  votaries  to  the  most  worshipful 
adoption  of  a  routine  of  feeble,  frivolous,  and  utterly  ineffi- 
cient medicating  entities  for  eradicating  nearly  all  the  patho- 
logical phenomena  to  which  the  organization  may  become 
subject,  from  whatsoever  morbid  causes; — whether  such 
phenomena  be  accompanied  or  succeeded  by  the  favourable 
irritative,  inflammatory  and  febrific,  or  by  the  unfavourable 
and  abortive  spasmodic  and  convulsive  recuperative  mani- 
festations, or  by  none  at  all. 

Locating  the  morbid  actions  constituting  particularly  all 
the  diseases  considered  by  them  as  febrile  and  inflammatory 
exclusively  in  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  alimentary 
canal,  they  prescribe  for  all  the  grades  of  such  diseases,  a 
nearly  similar  routine  of  frivolous  and  inefficient  medicating, 
agents,  consisting  now  and  then  of  general  bleeding,  but  al- 
ways to  a  similarly  sparing  extent,  without  any  appropriately 
philosophical  recognition  or  discrimination,  between  the 
difierent  grades  of  the  pathological  and  recuperative  pheno- 
mena constituting  the  difierent  cases  subjected  to  their  me- 
dication;— but  in  almost  all  cases,  relying  exclusively  on 
topical  detractions  of  blood  by  leeching  and  cupping,  ptisans 
and  emollient  enemata,  and  acidulated  solutions  of  gum  and 
ice  waters.  In  the  opinion  of  Broussais,  and  certainly  his 
numerous  servile  train  of  worshippers,  this  totally  unphilo- 


197 

sophical  routine  of  medication  is  all  sedative,  and  adapted  to 
the  cure  of  all  diseases,  of  all  grades,  from  all  causes; — and 
they  believe  that  the  exhibition  of  any  of  the  ordinarily  ac- 
knowledged stimulant  remedial  agents  to  the  mucous  mem- 
branes, already  stimulated  by  the  causative  agents  as  near 
the  point  of  vital  endurance  as  the  organization  can  sustain, 
would  be  rapidly  productive  of  its  total  destruction. 

Let  us  examine  the  condition  or  conditions  of  the  gastric 
department  of  the  organization  when  under  the  influence  of 
pathological  phenomena  from  any  cayse,  and  we  shall  readily 
discover  that  this  fashionable  creed,  so  ignominiously  aped, 
to  greater  or  less  extent  throughout  the  medical  world,  is 
naught  but  vaporous  nothingness,  totally  devoid  of  any 
physiological  or  pathological  philosophy  for  its  support.  Its 
superstructure  is  seen  to  be  perfectly  baseless,  by  the  slight- 
est philosophical  examination. 

When  the  pathological  condition  constituting  gastritis  is 
very  slight,  as  when  it  has  occurred  in  a  very  mild  form, 
from  slight  cause,  there  will  be  such  a  slight  deviation  from 
the  healthy  standard  of  gastric  action,  that  nothing  more 
than  simple  irritative  recuperation  becoYnes  raised  for  its 
removal  from  the  stomach  by  resolution.  In  such  slight 
disease,  ptisanning  and  gum-watering  may  be  practised  or 
not,  because  the  irritative  recuperation  raised  by  the  vis. 
conserv.  naturse,  is  all  sufficient  for  eliminating  the  patholo- 
gical condition  of  the  affected  organ.  Let  it  not  be  said,  be- 
cause authors  do  not  describe  such  mild  cases  of  gastritis, 
that  they  do  not  occur.  Authors  restrict  their  descriptions 
almost  exclusively  to  the  medial  grades,  characterized  by 
prominent  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena,  and 
neglect  noticing  both  the  mildest  and  highest  grades.  This 
ontological  method  of  describing  diseases,  running  through 
all  the  systems  of  practice  yet  published  to  the  world,  is 
totally  prohibitive  of  ever  arriving  at  the  philosophy  of  dis- 
eases, and  inevitably  precludes  all  the  bibliothecal  practi- 
tioners from  recognizing,  at  any  rate,  any  of  the  mildest  or 
highest  grades  of  diseases  arising  from  the  same  causes  as 
26 


198 

the  medial  grades,— -and  leads  them  to  an  empirical  and 
hacknied  practice;— for  without  true  philosophy  to  guide 
them  to  appropriate  recognition  of  all  the  grades  of  patholo- 
gical and  recuperative  phenomena  arising  from  identical 
causation,  they  can  never  practice  in  any  other  manner. 

Light  causes  therefore  invariably  produce  light  effects,  in 
constitutions  previously  sound, — and  mild  cases  of  gastritis 
are  as  liable  to  occur  in  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  sto- 
mach, as  any  other  mild  diseases  from  mild  causes,  in  any 
other  departments  of  the  organization  ; — and  they  do  in  fact 
occur,  from  a  variety  of  light  causes  almost  daily ; — and  it  is 
necessary  now  to  notice  the  fact,  to  show  that  the  plan  of 
medication  practised  by  Broussais  and  his  worshippers  for 
the  treatment  of  this  and  all  other  febrile  diseases  as  they  are 
called,  is  utterly  futile,  and  in  fact  absurd,  because  contrary 
to  the  plainest  suggestions  of  the  common  sense  of  even  the 
uneducated  part  of  mankind.   Their  plan  of  treating  diseases 
by  the  exhibition  and  application  of  a  few  frivolous  ontolo- 
gical  entities,  is  totally  inadequate  to  produce  the  elimination 
of  the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting  any  of  them,  except 
the  mildest  grades.     Now  although   these   milder   grades 
would  be  in  all  cases  eliminated  by  the  recuperative  excita- 
tions of  the  conservative  powers,— yet,  as  we  are  willing  to 
admit  to  the  fullest  extent  the  value  of  their  routine  prac- 
tice,— we  consider  it  our  bounden  duty  to  proclaim  to  the 
m.edical  profession,  that  their  value  is  to  be  exclusively  con- 
sidered as  auxiliary  to  the  recuperative  excitations  of  na- 
ture,— never  positively  curative,  of  the  pathological  condi- 
tions constituting  even  any  of  the  mildest  grades  of  diseases; 
and  they  are  not  even  entitled  to  this  extent  of  auxiliary 
consideration  of  utility,  through  the  recognition  of  any  true 
pathological  philosophy.     Irritation  in  the  capillary  circula- 
tion surrounding  the  slight  pathological  condition  in  the  mu- 
cous membrane  of  the  stomach,  or  any  other  portion  of  the 
organization,  eliminates  it  by  resolution,  without  medica- 
tion ; — but,  whea  the  pathological  phenomena  have  occurred 
to  the  production  of  considerable  depression  of  the  vital  en- 


199 

ergies,  irritation  is  first  raised  in  the  capillary  circulation  for 
resolving  and  expelling  them,  but  in  general  proving  inade- 
quate to  effect  it,  the  conservative  powers  institute  febrific 
recuperation  in  the  general  circulations,  by  which  means  an 
additional  momentum  is  given  to  the  capillary  circulation  in 
and  adjacent  to  the  pathologized  condition; — and,  if  the  se- 
cretions should  be  not  much  increased  or  deranged  beyond 
their  normal  action,  resolution  may  still  be  effected  through 
the  secretions  and  excretions  pertaining  to  the  affected  re- 
gion, be  it  where  it  may,  and  without  medication.  In  such 
case  we  admit,  that  the  recuperative  institutions  might  be 
benefited  by  the  ptisanning  and  gum-watering  plan  of  medi- 
cation ; — but  this  is  no  more  nor  less  than  what  would  be 
prescribed  by  all  experienced  practitioners, — not  with  the 
view  of  their  acting  positively  curable,  but  as  auxiliary  and 
soothing  applications  to  the  affected  region.  But,  yvhen  the 
causative  agents  have  produced  such  deep  depressions  and 
congestions  of  the  parts  recipient  of  them,  as  are  sooner  or 
later  succeeded,  in  strong  and  vigorous  constitutions,  by 
free,  open,  and  ardent  inflammatory  recuperation,  in  the 
parts  thus  pathologized,  and  by  a  correspondently  free,  open, 
and  ardent  recuperative  excitement  in  the  general  circula- 
tions, of  what  avail  other  than  auxiliary,  can  be  the  routine 
of  frivolous  medication  inculcated  by  the  Broussaian  school? 
When  the  stomach  is  the  recipient  of  such  deep  depression 
and  congestion  of  its  nervous  energies,  other  important  vital 
organs  are  in  general,  through  sympathetic  sensibility,  quick- 
ly recipient  of  them,  and  the  contest  forthwith  becomes  in- 
tensely ardent  between  the  pathological  and  recuperative 
phenomena.  The  brain  is  frequently  manifested  to  be  in  a 
phrenzied  condition, — the  stomach,  liver,  and  other  viscera, 
to  be  phlogosed  entirely  beyond  the  powers  of  secretion  or 
excretion, — the  mucous  membranes  to  be  coated  with  de- 
praved, viscid,  ropy  mucus, — the  duodenum  and  stomach 
loaded  with  acrid,  vitiated  bile  previously  secreted  and  ex- 
creted,— the  capillary  department  of  the  organization  raging 
and  burning  to  the  extent  of  thorough  non-secretion, — and 


200 

even  the  urinary  secretion  nearly  suspended, — and  in  many 
cases,  as  in  yellow  fevers  and  other  pestilences,  quite  so. 
Can  such  ardent  contention  between  the  conservative  and 
pathological  phenomena  be  witnessed  and  philosophically 
recoo-nized  by  any  experienced  practitioner,  be  his  medical 
creed  what  it  may,  without  resorting  to  more  effective  me- 
dication than  ptisanning,  emollient  enemata,  &c.?  Such  in- 
tensely phlogosed  excitations  of  the  conservative  powers, 
prove  incontestibly,  that  the  pathological  phenomena  which 
originated  them  cannot  be  resolved  and  eliminated,  except 
by  a  medication  correspondently  potent  and  appropriate. 

To  attempt  the  elimination  of  such  intensely  morbid  sen- 
sibilities from  the  organization  by  topical  detractions  of 
blood,  teas,  enemata,  &c.— *would  be  as  fruitless  as  an  at- 
tempt to  extinguish  the  fiery  vomiting  of  a  volcano  by 
sprinkling  water  on  it.  And  yet  such  medication  is  daily 
resorted  to  by  Broussais  and  his  worshippers; — and  what 
are  the  consequences  of  such  criminal  neglect  of  appropriate 
medication  in  such  cases?  First,  additional  congestions  and 
obstructions, — and  lastly,  and  that  quickly, — disorganiza- 
tions and  total  destructions. 

If  the  Broussaian  plan  of  medication  for  such  grades  of  dis- 
eases as  we  have  thus  far  mentioned  be  so  totally  ineffica- 
cious,  how  much  more  unphilosophical  and  inefficient  must 

such  medication  be  considered  when  used  for  the  treatment 
of  diseases  of  much  higher  grades,  arising  from  causes  pro- 
ductive of  such  overwhelming  effects  of  the  radical  energies 
of  the  organization,  as  to  prevent  the  innervating  centres 
from  instituting  any  recuperative  excitations  at  all,  even  in 
constitutions  previously  sound  and  vigorous,— or  if  any,  no- 
thing more  than  occasional  faintly  glimmering  irritations  or 
fevers,  or  tremors  and  agitations,  cramps  and  twitchings,  or 
spasms  and  convulsions? 

Gastro-enteritic  inflammatory  and  febrile  diseases,  as  they 
are  erroneously  called,  when  arising  from  highly  malignant 
miasmata,  are  either  assumptive  of  such  weak  and  unavail- 
ing asthenic  recuperation,  or  of  none  at  all, — that  they  can 


201 

never,  in  any  sense  whatever  considered,  be  benefited  by 
the  Broussaian  plan  of  medication  carried  to  its  utmost  ex- 
tent. This  pseudo-philosophy  therefore  cannot  be  made  ope- 
rative to  the  elimination  of  any  of  the  medial  or  highest 
grades  of  diseases, — and  cannot  be  considered  as  operative 
to  the  elimination  of  the  very  mildest,  through  the  recogni- 
tion of  any  show  of  the  true  philosophy  pertaining  to  dis- 
eases arising  from  any  causes  whatsoever. 

We  conclude  therefore,  that  this  fashionable  method  of 
medication  must  inevitably  be  considered  by  all  talented 
practitioners  of  much  experience,  as  totally  unphilosophi- 
cal, — because  recognizing  exclusively  the  doctrine  of  seda- 
tive medicaments, — and  prescribing  very  much  the  same 
unmodified  routine  of  them,  for  the  treatment  of  all  the  va- 
ried grades  of  diseases,  arising  from  all  their  correspondent- 
ly  varied  causative  agents; — whereas,  they  are  exclusively 
adapted,  if  at  all,  to  the  treatment  of  the  very  mildest  grades 
of  diseases, — and  not  to  them,  through  the  recognition  of 
true  philosophy. 

If  this  Broussaian  plan  of  medication  can  therefore  be  phi- 
losophically considered  as  operative  to  the  elimination  of  any 
morbid  sensibilities  whatever,  from  any  causes,  it  must  be 
recognized  to  be  thus  operative  through  stimulant  operation; 
and  all  the  bleedings,  cuppings,  and  leechings,  resorted  to 
for  preparing  the  conservative  powers  for  eliminating  the 
noxious  agents  and  their  effects  from  the  system  by  acidu- 
lated gummous  solutions,  and  ice-waterings,  and  emollient 
poultices  and  enemata,  are  undeniably  insufficient  to  elimi- 
nate any  other  than  the  very  mildest  grades  of  diseases, — 
and  they  would  be  eliminated  without  them,  by  the  recupe- 
rative powers  of  the  organization. 

A  doctrine  of  medication,  which  inculcates  the  carefullest 
detention  and  strictest  husbandry  of  the  vitiated  secretions 
and  feculent  matters,  so  copiously  engendered  and  aggre- 
gatedly  accumulated  for  rankling  operations  in  the  alimen- 
tary canal,  by  the  organization  when  concentratedly  patholo- 
gized  from  any  causes, — and  totally  proscribes  appropriate 


202 

purgatives,  diaphoretics,  &c.  from  the  list  of  medicating 
agents,  which  through  all  time,  have  been  justly  considered 
as  indispensably  necessary  agents,  under  appropriate  manage- 
ment, for  eliminating  all  morbid  sensibilities  from  whatso- 
ever causes  arising,  cannot  be  long  sanctioned  by  any  expe- 
rienced and  philosophic  practitioner  of  medicine,  or  by  any 
other  person  of  common  sense,  resident  either  within  the 
pale  of  cultivated  or  barbarous  life. 

We  are  therefore  confident,  that  all  our  ablest  and  most 
experienced  practitioners  will  admit,  that  no  medical  philo- 
sopher of  ancient  or  modern  time,  has  wandered  farther 
astray  from  just  conceptions  of  the  legitimate,  physiological, 
and  pathological  operations  pertaining  to  the  organization  of 
man,  than  the  present  medical  chieftain  of  physiological  me- 
dication, who  is  endeavouring  to  wield  the  sceptre  of  domi- 
nion over  the  whole  medical  world,  by  denouncing  all  other 
systems,  except  his  own,  as  erroneous,  ontological,  and 
fraught  with  doctrines  which  lead  to  incendiary  and  perni- 
cious practices. 

But  this  renowned  medical  magician,  who  is  essaying  to 
rule  with  such  despotic  sway,  cannot  be  considered  in  any 
other  light,  than  as  being  himself  the  very  prince  of  the 
most  audacious  and  arrant  ontology,  and  the  most  devoted 
worshipper  of  a  more  numerous  host  of  metaphysical  enti- 
ties, than  any  of  those  whom  he  has  denounced  with  such 
acrimonious  vituperation,  ever  conjured  up.  For  his  doc- 
trines are  so  strongly  tinctured  and  imbued  with  the  deifica- 
tion of  chimerical  essences,  and  delivered  in  such  dogmati- 
cal, imposing,  and  captivating  manner,  as  to  have  apishly 
enslaved  a  very  considerable  proportion  of  the  brightest  me- 
dical luminaries,  both  in  Europe  and  our  own  country,  and 
fast  chained  them  down  to  a  philosophy  chiefly  restricted  to 
the  consideration  of  mucous  membranes,— and  led  them  to 
the  adoption  of  such  feeble  and  inefficient  medication,  as  is 
not  applicable  in  any  other,  than  an  auxiliary  sense,  to  even 
the  mildest  grades  of  diseases, — and  utterly  nugatory,  una- 
vailing, and  in  fact  worse  than  useless, — when  applied  to 


203 

the  treatment  of  all  the  higher  grades  of  diseases,  (gastritis, 
or  any  other,)  and  further  removed  from  the  true  philosophy 
of  thorough  medication,  than  that  of  any  one  of  his  philoso- 
phical predecessors. 

The  truth  is,  that  every  experienced  and  intelligent  prac- 
titioner of  medicine  in  all  time,— hefore  the  time  of  Brous- 
sais,— knew  quite  as  much  about  the  necessity  of  preserving 
the  integrity  of  the  mucous  membranes  during  their  treat- 
ment of  diseases,  as  himself, — and  adopted  a  much  more 
philosophic  medication  for  preserving  their  integrity  than 
he  has  taught; — and  consequently  far  less  entitled  to  the  ap- 
pellative reproaches  of  incendiary  and  pernicious. 

It  is  also  true,  that  all  the  ablest  practitioners  of  medicine 
during  all  prior  and  present  time,  while  treating  and  curing 
by  appropriate  medicating  agents,  diseases  characterized  by 
the  deepest  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  nervous  ener- 
gies of  the  nervous  organization, — must  have  made  a  near 
approach  to  the  recognition  of  such  knowledge,  as  consti- 
tutes the  true  philosophy  of  medicine,  both  now  and  forever. 
We  therefore  observe,  that  all  the  acrimonious  denuncia- 
tions of  this  arrogant  philosopher  so  profusely  lavished 
against  other  systems,  and  other  practitioners,  will  be  con- 
sidered by  all  our  ablest  physicians  as  recoiling  upon  his  own 
system,  and  his  own  practice; — and  that  there,  they  will 
sooner  or  later,  and  deservedly,  rest  in  oblivion. 

That  this  system  of  medication,  certainly  the  most  pertur- 
bating,  incendiary,  and  pernicious,  ever  yet  conjured  up  by 
any  medical  philosopher,  should  have  been  imported  as  a 
fashion,  and  rendered  instructingly  operative  in  our  own 
medical  institutions,  is  matter  of  much  astonishment  as 
well  as  regret,  to  all  the  most  intelligent  and  judicious  phy- 
sicians of  our  country ; — and  their  exertions  should  be  united- 
ly subjected  to  all  reasonable  requisition,  for  staying  its  cor- 
rupting progress.  Thousands  of  the  French  nation  are  an- 
nually sacrificed  by  this  deluding  system  of  medication,  and 
thousands  have  been,  and  will  continue  to  be,  sacrificed  in 
our  own  country,  by  the  junior  members  of  the  profession 


204 

who  have  imbibed  its  delusive  and  pernicious  doctrines  in 
some  of  our  medical  seminaries  of  highest  reputation; — for, 
they  will  all  render  them  operative  in  their  several  practices 
for  some  time, — those  of  them,  who  are  intelligent,  discern- 
ing, and  discriminating,  not  for  a  long  time, — because,  they 
will  discover  their  futility,  and  recognize  the  necessity  of 
adopting  a  practice  more  conformable  to  science  and  common 
sense: — but  those  of  them  who  relinquish  their  studies 
when  they  leave  their  schools,  as  is  unfortunately  the  case 
with  a  great  proportion  of  them,  will  not  even  halt  in  their 
destructive  career,  but  pursue  their  slaughtering  course, 
till  death  releases  them  from  committing  further  devastation 
of  human  life. 

This  cannot  be  deemed  by  our  ablest  practitioners  an  over- 
wrought representation  of  the  baleful  consequences  inevita- 
bly supervenient  to  the  adoption  of  this  false  philosophy. 

But  we  may  console  ourselves  with  the  certainty,  that  this 
philosophy  contains  within  itself  the  seeds  of  its  own  de- 
struction,— that  it  cannot  be  long  made  to  vegetate  to  per- 
fection in  any  richly  intellectual  soil, — and  that  it  will  soon 
be  blasted  in  its  sproutings,  and  dissolved  into  its  fruitless 
elements.  The  doctrine  has  attained  its  culminating  point, 
and  will  be  respectfully  lowered  to  its  just  deserts,  by  the 
meritorious  practical  philosophers  pertaining  to  our  profes- 
sion. 

No  philosophy  of  medicine  will  be  recognized  and  appre- 
ciated as  true,  unless  founded  on  such  self-evident  proposi- 
tions as  unfold  the  principles  necessary  for  clearly  explain- 
ing and  illustrating  all  the  varied,  physiological,  pathologi- 
cal, and  conservative  phenomena  incident  to  the  varied  ope- 
rations, pertaining  to  the  varied  organization  of  man,  both 
in  health  and  disease,  wherever  he  is  found  in  the  habitable 
regions  of  the  earth. 

If  man  be  a  being  destined  for  eternal  duration, — and  that 
he  is, — "all  nature  cries  aloud  through  all  her  works,"— he 
must  be  made  so  through  the  inevitable  operations  pertaining 
to  such  material  organization  as  Deity  has  given  him; — and 


205 

he  must  possess  in  such  organization  such  operative  powers 
as  render  him  a  whole  being,  destined  for  time  and  eter- 
nity:— therefore,  the  first  link  in  the  chain  of  all  true  medi- 
cal philosophy  must  inevitably  consist  of  the  will  of  Deity 
in  organizing  man  for  mortal  and  immortal  existence, — and  the 
medium  through  which  such  will  is  exclusively  manifested  to 
observation  must,  and  can  be  no  other,  than  the  nervous  sys- 
tem, the  whole  and  only  system  of  man's  organization, 
through  the  operations  of  which,  under  the  appropriate  ex- 
citements of  natural  morality,  corrected  and  perfected  by  re- 
velation,— man  can  be  enabled  in  time,  to  prepare  himself 
for  his  destined  eternity, — of  happiness. 

The  recognition  of  this  primal  link  in  the  series  of  propo- 
sitions composing  our  philosophy  is  unavoidable.  Man 
therefore  emanates  primarily  from  the  will  of  Deity,  and 
during  his  probationary  detention  here  in  time,  is  anticipa- 
tively  connected  with  him,  through  his  exclusively  nervous 
organization  ;  and  through  the  operations  of  the  same  media- 
torial power,  after  having  shuffled  off  his  mortal  coil,  re- 
turns to  the  same  divine  source  from  whence  he  emanated, — 
for  everlasting  blessedness. 

Our  medical  philosophy  therefore,  consists  of  such  a  series 
of  self-evident  propositions,  as  develope  forthwith  to  reason 
and  common  sense,  all  the  principles,  which  are  now,  or  ever 
can  be,  rendered  operative  to  the  evolution  of  all  the  varied 
physiological  actions  of  the  organization  of  man  in  its  healthy 
condition, — to  all  the  varied  pathological  phenomena  charac- 
terizing all  its  varied  deviations  from  the  healthy  standard 
of  action, — and  to  all  the  respectively  varied  recuperative 
phenomena  instituted  by  the  conservative  powers  for  restor- 
ing the  pathologized  organization  to  its  salutary  physiologi- 
cal standard  of  action. 

It  is  therefore  a  whole  system  of  medical  philosophy,  and 
universally  applicable, — now  and  forever, — and  every 
where, — for  unfolding  to  philosophic  comprehension  and 
appreciation,  all  the  physiological,  pathological,  and  conser- 
vative phenomena  pertaining  to  the  organization  of  man, 
27 


206 

both  in  its  salutary  and  diseased  conditions.  It  is  a  system 
of  universal  philosophy  recognizing  the  inevitable  instru- 
mentality of  all  the  powers  governing  and  regulating  all  ani- 
mal, and  to  much  extent  of  appreciation,  all  vegetable  exist- 
ences;— recognizing  the  appropriately  philosophical  subjec- 
tion of  the  organization  of  man  for  support  in  time,  to  the 
various  and  multiform  modifications  of  physiological  and  pa- 
thological phenomena,  arising  from  their  correspondently 
varied  and  multiform  physical  causes,  as  manifested  to  ob- 
servation through  all  the  habitable  portions  of  the  earth ; — 
recognizing  therefore,  not  only  the  general  causes  which  af- 
fect the  organization  pathologically  in  all  parts  of  our  crea- 
tion, but  leading  us  directly  to  the  institution  of  such  inves- 
tigations and  observations,  as  will  unfold  to  us  the  causes 
which  vary  the  pathological  phenomena  in  different  coun- 
tries, and  in  different  districts  of  different  countries,  and 
enable  us  to  adopt  the  most  efficacious  means  for  either  pre- 
venting, or  removing  tliem,  when  produced. 

Our  philosophy  being  therefore  universally  operative  in 
elucidating  the  varied  characteristics  of  the  varied  patholo- 
logical  phenomena  affecting  the  organization  of  man  in  every 
department  of  creation, — recognizes  and  reprobates  the  ab- 
surdity of  subjecting  the  science  of  medicine,  which  in  its 
general  principles  considered,  is  one  and  indivisible, — to  the 
capriciousness  of  fashion, — and  of  importing  and  adopting 
such  fashion,  and  making  it  operative  in  our  own  medical 
institutions. 

We  recognize  and  deplore  therefore,  the  deleterious  con- 
sequences which  have  already  arisen,  and  must  hereafter 
arise,  from  instructing  our  youth  exclusively  in  the  frivo- 
lous routine  of  sedative  medication,  as  it  is  considered  by 
the  fashionable,  but  totally  erroneous  and  unphilosophical 
Broussaian  system  now  in  vogue; — because  they  will  endea- 
vour to  render  it  operative  in  their  respective  practices 
wherever  they  may  be  located,  however  variously  and  dis- 
similarly characterized  may  be  the  pathological  phenomena 
which  they  will  be  called  on  for  eliminating. 


207 

All  ihe  philosophies  of  medicine  have  been  founded  on 
fancied  recognitions  of  some  one  or  more  fantastic  meta- 
physical entities, — but  we  may  confidently  consider  ours  as 
founded  on  a  series  of  self-evident  propositions,  developing 
the  principles  necessary  for  conclusively  unfolding  and  elu- 
cidating the  causes  of  all  the  more  general,  or  particular  pa- 
thological phenomena,  with  all  their  multiplicities  of  varia- 
tions and  modifications,  incident  to  the  organization  of  man 
wherever  he  may  be  found  in  our  world; — and  as  far  as  hu- 
man agency  can  be  of  any  avail,  suggests  the  most  appro- 
priate means,  for  either  preventing  the  formations  of  such 
pathological  phenomena,— or,  whenever  they  are  produced, 
eliminating  them  by  the  most  appropriate  and  philosophical 
medications. 

And  as  we  are  confident  that  many  a  talented  practitioner 
while  treating  successfully  by  appropriate  medication, 
diseases  characterized  by  such  highly  concentrated  depres- 
sions and  congestions  as  were  totally  preclusive  of  the  insti- 
tution of  recuperative  excitations  by  the  conservative  powers, 
or  the  more  ordinary  routine  of  medication  in  such  cases  re- 
sorted to, — has  often  been  on  the  point  of  recognizing  our 
philosophy  to  its  fullest  extent;— so  we  are  equally  confident 
that  it  will  be  duly  recognized  and  appreciated  by  all  such 
practitioners, — and  that  they  will  render  it  incalculably  ope- 
rative in  relieving  and  eliminating  the  sufferings  of  huma- 
nity, from  whatsoever  causative  agents  arising. 

If  after  all  our  copious  elucidation  of  such  philosophy  of 
medication  as  should  be  put  in  requisition  for  the  treatment 
of  all  the  corporeal  and  mental  sufferings  to  which  the  orga- 
nization is  now,  or  under  any  circumstances,  can  ever  be, 
rendered  subject,— it  should  still  be  inquired  in  what  man- 
ner is  such  extensive  alleviation  of  human  misery  to  be  rea- 
lized by  this  philosophy  in  preference  to  any  other,— we 
unhesitatingly  assert,  without  any  fear  of  successful  contra- 
diction, that  it  will  irresistibly  conduct  every  talented  prac- 
titioner, under  the  appropriate  appreciation  of  it,  in  very 
many,  very  material  respects,  to  a  radical  change  of  mcdica- 


208 

tion,  and  of  medication  legitimately  scientific, — for  nearly 
all  the  ills  that  flesh  and  blood  are  heir  to. 

Our  philosophy  recognizes  to  demonstrative  appreciation, 
that  to  whatever  extent  the  morbid  sensibilities  constituting 
diseases,  may  have  been  primarily  received,  or  through  sym- 
pathetic sensibility,  consecutively  transmitted, — to  such  ex- 
tent, the  total  organization  of  the  part  or  parts  thus  involved 
in  the  morbid  sensibilities,  becomes  pathologized.  The  ner- 
vous system  is  therefore  the  only,  and  w^hole  system  of 
man; — and  its  innervating  centre  becomes  instantaneously 
percipient  of  these  morbid  sensibilities,  and  raises  recupera- 
tive excitations  to  eliminate  them  from  the  organization, 
sooner  or  later, — or  never, — in  a  manner  invariably  corres- 
ponding with  the  greater  or  lesser  depression  and  congestion 
of  the  vital  powers  of  that  portion,  or  those  portions,  of  the 
vital  part  or  parts  of  the  organization,  to  which  the  causative 
agents  have  been  applied  and  transmitted. 

All  morbid  sensibilities,  therefore,  constituting  all  dis- 
eases arising  from  all  causes,  are  to  be  considered  as  positive 
depressions  and  congestions  of  nervous  energy,  arising  from 
the  causative  agents  overpowering  the  elective  attraction  for 
salutary  stimuli,  in  the  part  or  parts  invaded  and  entered  by 
them.  These  depressions  and  congestions,  whether  originat- 
ed by  causative  agents  acting  from  without  or  within  the 
organization,  become  more  or  less  transmissible  through 
sympathetic  sensibility,  according  to  the  ravaging  power  of 
the  causative  agents,  and  the  constitutional  powers  of  the 
system  receptive  of  such  pathologization.  For  the  elimina- 
tion of  morbid  sensibilities  thus  originated  and  transmitted, 
recuperative  excitations  are  instituted  by  the  conservative 
powers,  viz. — by  the  sensorial  percipiency  of  the  cerebral 
centre,  (in  a  strictly  philosophical  sense  considered,  in  a 
more  or  less  direct  manner,  the  exclusive  innervating  radicle 
of  vitality  in  the  mature  and  healthy  organization,) — conse- 
quently, these  sensorial  percipiences  will  institute  more  or 
less  favourable  recuperative  excitations,  according  to  the  na- 
ture and  effects  of  the  causative  agents,  and  the  remaining 


209 

powers  of  vital  resistance  in  the  pathologized  organization. 
The  morbid  sensibilities,  therefore,  must  be  specifically  and 
indefinitely  varied  and  modified,  and  the  sensorial  perci- 
piences  originating  the  recuperative  excitations  will  be  ma- 
nifested to  philosophic  observation,  in  a  correspondently 
specific  and  diversified  manner. 

The  total  philosophy  of  medication  consequently  recog- 
nizes the  indispensable  necessity  of  adopting,  in  each  and 
every  case  of  morbid  sensibility,  such  remedial  agents  as  are 
most  appropriately  indicated,  for  resolving  and  eliminating 
it  from  the  system,  wherever  located,  and  to  whatever  ex- 
tent it  may  have  been  transmitted,  through  sympathetic  sen- 
sibility. 

Can  the  science  of  medicine  as  thus  portrayed  to  the  un- 
avoidable recognition  of  every  reasonable  and  intelligent 
physician,  be  any  longer  considered  a  conjectural  art,  or 
trade  of  cunning,  based  on  chicanery?  The  science  of  medi- 
cine is  based  on  the  immutable  laws  pertaining  to  the  ner- 
vous organization  now,  and  through  all  time, — conducting 
us  by  appropriate  study,  physiologically,  pathologically,  and 
recuperatively,  or  therapeutically  considered,  to  the  certainty 
of  intuitive  demonstration, — therefore  utterly  disclaiming  all 
cunning,  trick,  and  sophistry. 

Let  it  be  particularly  noted  and  remembered,  therefore, 
that  all  our  therapeutical  indications  are  to  be  exclusively 
formed  from  due  observance  and  consideration  of  the  specific 
ravaging  effects  of  the  causative  agents,  and  of  the  corres- 
pondently specific  recuperative  excitations  raised  by  the 
conservative  powers  in  each  and  every  case  of  morbid  sensi- 
bility. And  as  the  recuperative  excitations  are  manifested 
in  all  cases,  either  by  irritations,  inflammations,  and  fevers, 
or  tremors,  twitchings,  cramps,  spasms,  or  convulsions,  or 
by  partial  or  total  paralyses  of  the  organization,  amounting 
to  no  recuperative  excitation  at  all, — so  a  particular,  and 
specifically  appropriate  species  of  medication  will  be  philo- 
sophically required  for  each  and  every  case  of  morbid  sensi- 
bility,— although  arising  from  the  same  general  cause  or 


210 

causes, — because  different  organizations  are  differently  affect- 
ed by  identical  causes,  in  identical  quantities; — but  it  is  sel- 
dom the  case,  however,  that  different  organizations  are  re- 
ceptive of  identical  quantities,  because  of  the  differing  powers 
of  resistance,  in  the  different  constitutions.  Viewed,  there- 
fore, in  every  sense,  and  through  .every  medium  of  light, 
true  philosophy  requires  us  to  consider  all  diseases,  from  all 
causes,  and  all  diseases  arising  in  different  organizations, 
from  identical  causes,  as  more  or  less  specifically  different. 

As  all  diseases  are  therefore  specific,  because  arising  from 
specific  causes,  producing  specific  pathological  phenomena, 
in  specific  departments  of  the  organization,  both  primarily 
and  consecutively  through  sympathetic  sensibility  consider- 
ed;— it  follows,  that  the  recuperative  phenomena,  (whenever 
they  are  raised,)  whether  coexistently  or  sequentially  to  the 
pathological,  are  exclusively,  and  correspondently  specific, 
and  require  therefore,  correspondently  specific  medications. 

Can  such  philosophy  based  on  such  luminous  self-evidency, 
as  arises  from  scientifically  recognizing  the  operations  of  the 
nervous  organization  of  man,  offer  any  inducements  to  the 
skeptic  or  sophist,  for  stigmatizing  the  science  of  medicine  as 
a  conjectural  art,  or  ignominious  species  of  handicraft? 

The  science  of  medicine  based  on  such  self-evident  foun- 
dations as  we  have  assigned  to  it,  or  as  it  has  been,  and  is 
still,  practised  by  our  ablest  physicians,  is  the  noblest,  as 
well  as  most  useful,  of  all  the  avocations  of  man.  The 
practice  of  medicine  therefore,  is  or  should  be,  exclusively 
the  practice  of  its  philosophy;— which  is  comprehensively 
comprised  in  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  causes  of  dis- 
eases,— the  pathological  phenomena  manifested  in  the  orga- 
nization by  the  operation  of  these  causes,  and  the  recupera- 
tive excitations  raised  by  the  conservative  powers  for  their 
expulsion.  The  causes  in  many  cases,  may  be  investigated 
from, — but  the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena  ex- 
clusively, at  the  bed-side  of  the  afflicted,— where  their  sepa- 
ration from  each  other,  should  be  thoroughly  understood;  — 
because,  without  recognizing  such  separation  we  shall  be 


211 

irroping  about  in  darkness,  and  practising  in  a  routine,  em- 
pirical, tentative  manner.  As  our  remedies  are  to  be  ex- 
clusively exhibited,  and  applied,  for  the  purpose  of  control- 
ling and  regulating  the  efforts  of  nature  to  resolve  and  elimi- 
nate the  pathological  phenomena,  or  to  raise  such  efforts 
when  nature  is  too  much  depressed  to  raise  them,  the  neces- 
sity of  making  such  separation,  is  obvious.  As  all  medica- 
tion which  cures  diseases  of  all  kinds,  from  all  causes,  how- 
ever m.ore  or  less  locally,  affecting  the  organization,  operates 
in  assisting  the  recuperative  excitations  to  resolve  and  expel 
the  pathological  phenomena  from  the  system  through  one,  or 
more,  or  all,  of  the  secretions  and  excretions ; — so,  all  me- 
dication whatever,  consistingof  whatsoever  variety  of  agents, 
that  may  be  found  appropriately  philosophical  for  the  pro- 
duction of  such  expulsion,  or  elimination,  is  entitled  exclu- 
sively, to  the  appellation  of  expulsive  or  eliminative  medica- 
tion : — for  most  assuredly,  every  species  of  medication  which 
enables  the  conservative  powers  of  the  organization,  to  insti- 
tute the  necessary  processes  for  producing  such  critical  eva- 
cuations, as  are  required  for  expelling  the  morbid  sensibili- 
ties constituting  diseases  through  their  legitimate  outlets — 
the  secretions  and  excretions,  are  philosophically  entitled, 
to  such  appellation, — and  to  such  only.  All  the  bleedings, 
general  and  local,  or  other  remediate  measures  that  may  be 
required  for  thus  rendering  the  recuperative  powers  effectual 
to  the  production  of  these  necessary  secretions  and  excre- 
tions,— are  most  assuredly,  entitled  to  the  appellation  of  ex- 
pulsive medications; — because,  in  a  great  variety  of  diseases, 
they  are  indispensably  necessary,  to  conduct  the  operations 
of  the  organization  to  such  approach  to  salutary  action,  as 
will  enable  the  secretory  and  excretory  organs  to  act  elimi- 
natively  of  the  morbid  sensibilities.  And  all  other  medicat- 
ing agents,  whether  acting  specifically  stimulantly  as  eme- 
tics, cathartics,  diaphoretics,  expectorants,  emollients,  ano- 
dynes, diuretics,  &c.  and  all  the  varied  external  revulsive 
medicating  agents,  however  specifically  operative  they  may- 
be, ail  tend,  when  appropriately  used,  in   each  and  every 


212 

case  of  morbid  sensibility  requiring  them,  to  its  expulsion 
and  elimination  from  the  system  ; — consequently,  all  appro- 
priately philosophical  medicating  agents  whatever,  that  have 
already,  or  may  hereafter  be  discovered,  are  expulsive  me- 
dicaments, operating  specifically  stimulantly. 

We  thus  open  to  palpable  observation,  and  unavoidable 
acknowledgment,  the  principles  to  be  put  in  requisition,  for 
composing  the  one,  and  one  only  therapeutical  book,  that  is 
now,  or  ever  can  be  required  by  true  philosophy,  for  direct- 
ing the  practitioner  to  the  institution  of  his  remedial  indica- 
tions, and  the  agents  for  appropriately  fulfilling  them,  from 
the  commencement  to  the  termination  of  all  diseases  from 
all  causes: — and  it  is  evident,  that  such  book  may  be  richly 
stored  with  true  philosophy,  unchangeably  operative  through 
all  time,  to  the  exclusion  of  much  useless  nonemclatural  ver- 
bosity. 

The  true  philosophical  practice  of  medicine,  therefore, 
consists  in  the  use  of  all  the  remediate  means,  best  adapted 
in  each  and  every  case  of  morbid  sensibility  to  conduct  the 
recuperative  excitations  to  the  production  of  appropriately 
critical  evacuations,  through  the  secretory  and  excretory  ap- 
paratus of  the  organization.  In  no  other  way,  than  through 
these  natural  and  legitimate  outlets,  can  the  morbid  sensibi- 
lities constituting  any  disease,  (be  the  recuperative  manifes- 
tations what  they  may,  or  none  at  all,)  become  eliminated 
from  the  system.  Slight  pathological  conditions  of  any  part 
of  the  organization,  will  be  generally  either  accompanied,  or 
soon  succeeded  by  such  mild  recuperative  excitation,  as  to 
require  little  or  no  medication, — the  secretions  being  so  little 
deranged  by  the  causative  agents,  that  the  recuperative  exci- 
tations are  not  raised  higher  than  necessary  to  render  them 
effectively  operative  to  the  expulsion  of  the  pathological 
phenomena.  The  pathological  conditions  from  whatsoever 
causes  arising,  are  the  proximate  causes  of  the  recuperative 
phenomena,  whatever  they  may  be ; — therefore,  whenever 
the  recuperative  phenomena  are  raised  in  a  high  and  ardent 
manner,  the  proximate  causes  will  be  found  to  consist  of  de- 


213 

pressions  and  congestions  of  the  nervous  energies  of  the  part 
or  parts  of  the  organization  implicated  in  them,  which  have 
arisen  from  causative  agents  acting  in  a  correspondently  ar- 
dent degree,  in  constitutions  previously  sound.  Such  high 
and  ardent  recuperative  excitations  deranging  and  vitiating 
the  secretions,  or  rather  proving,  that  the  causative  agents 
have  acted  to  such  vitiation,  will  require  such  stimulant  me- 
dication as  will  lower,  regulate,  and  preserve  the  operations 
of  the  organization  to  the  salutary  standard  of  action  neces- 
sary for  effecting  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities 
through  their  legitimate  outlets;  and  whenever  the  patholo- 
gical phenomena  have  occurred  from  causative  agents  acting 
to  the  production  of  highly  concentrated  depressions  of 
nervous  energy,  the  recuperative  manifestations  will  be  cha- 
racterized by  such  feeble  and  inefficient  asthenic  or  typhoid, 
or  ataxic  or  adynamic  action,  as  to  require  such  appropriately 
stimulant  medication,  as  will  strengthen  and  regulate,  raise 
and  preserve  the  powers  of  the  organization  to  the  necessary 
secretory  standard  of  elimination. 

As  are  the  causative  agents,  such  will  be  the  patholo- 
gical phenomena;  and  as  are  the  pathological,  such  will  be 
the  recuperative  phenomena; — and  they  will  both  be  speci- 
fically and  variantly  characterized,  in  a  manner  specifically 
correspondent  with  the  nature  and  action  of  the  causative 
agents,  and  the  nature  and  action  of  such  predisposition  or 
idiosyncrasy,  as  may  be  existent  in  the  constitutions  recep- 
tive of  them. 

Irritative  and  inflammatory  recuperation  in  the  capillary 
circulation,  exclusively  eliminates  the  mildest  diseases; — and 
all  diseases  of  higher  grades  are  eliminated  by  inflammatory 
and  febrific  recuperation; — and  it  should  be  kept  in  perpe- 
tual remembrance,  that  all  the  recuperative  excitations, 
which,  by  appropriate  medication,  may  be  rendered  elimina- 
tive  of  pathological  phenomena,  are  characterized  by  a  more 
or  less  sthenic  or  asthenic  diathesis,  according  to  the  nature 
of  the  causative  agents,  and  the  ability  of  the  conservative 
powers  for  raising  and  sustaining  them, — until  all  the  resisting 
28 


214 

energies  are  overwhelmed  by  the  causative  agents,  beyond 
the  power  of  instituting  any  otlier  than  spasmodic  and  con- 
vulsive, or  no  recuperation  at  all. 

From  the  primary  invasion,  till  the  entrance  of  the  causa- 
tive agents  from  without,  into  any  department  of  the  orga- 
nization, or  from  the  incipient  formation  of  causative  agents 
within  the  organization,  there  is  a  constant  contention,  more 
or  less  palpably  manifest  to  philosophic  observation,  between 
the  pathological  and  recuperative  phenomena; — and  the 
whole  philosophy  of  medicine,  under  appropriate  recognition;^ 
results  in  the  necessity  of  appropriately  estimating  this  con- 
test, and  of  discerning  and  distinguishing  the  pathological 
from  the  recuperative  phenomena,  and  separating  them  from 
each  other,  in  order  to  arrive  at  appropriate  remedial  indica- 
tions. Until  this  be  done,  the  practice  of  medicine  is  em- 
pirical and  tentative;  and  when  it  is  done,  it  affords  the  most 
noble,  delightful,  soul-satisfying  reflections,  that  man  is  ca- 
pable of  receiving  this  side  of  that  eternal  duration  to  which 
he  is  destined  by  the  beneficence  of  his  Creator,  through  the 
instrumental  operativeness  of  that  noble  nervous  organiza- 
tion, which  he  has  given  him  for  mortal  and  immortal 
existence. 

It  is  to  the  remaining  powers  of  salutary  operativeness  in 
this  noble  organization,  when  assailed  and  pathologized  by 
causative  agents,  tliat  all  our  remedies  should  be  directed; — 
consequently,  when  its  nervous  centres  in  strong  and  vigor- 
ous constitutions,  are  impelled  to  the  institution  of  such 
ardent  sthenic  recuperation  as  far  transcends  the  powers  of 
normal  secretion,  they  are  to  be  medicated,  or  lowered  down 
to  the  secreting  and  excreting  standard,  necessary  for  effect- 
ing elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities, — and  kept  so, 
until  the  various  vitiated  secretions,  and  feculent  materials 
in  the  alimentary  canal,  already  engendered  by  the  causa- 
tive agents,  can  be  expelled  by  appropriately  stimulant  me- 
dication, and  kept  so  until  the  conservative  powers,  through 
the  continued  aid  of  appropriate  medication,  can  be  ren- 
dered operative  to  the  expulsion  of  the  pathological  pheno- 
mena through  the  legitimate  outlets  of  the  organization. 


215 

But  on  the  contrary,  when  the  causative  agents,  either  in 
weak  and  feeble,  or  strong  and  vigorous  organizations,  have 
been  applied  in  such  concentrated  degrees,  that  the  conser- 
vative powers  are  precluded  from  instituting  any  other  than 
asthenic  recuperation, — medication  must  consist  of  such  re- 
mediate agents,  as  will  appropriately  evacuate  the  vitiated 
secretions,  and  feculent  materials,  under  such  circumstances 
copiously  engendered,  and  aggregatedly  retained  in  the  ali- 
monious  department  of  the  organization, — that  its  powers  of 
action  may  be  released,  relieved,  and  rendered  operative  to 
the  institution  of  such  efficient  recuperative  excitations,  as- 
hy the  continuance  of  appropriate  medication,  will  eliminate 
the  morbid  sensibilities,  through  their  natural  outlets. 

All  diseases,  whether  more   or  less   restrictedly  local,  or 
more  or  less  general,  (though  still  more  or  less  local,)  whe- 
ther the  recuperative  excitations  be  confined  to  the  extremi- 
ties of  nervous  power  in  the  capillary  department  of  the  or- 
ganization, internally  or  externally  considered, — or  whether 
they  be  extended  to  the  nervous  centres,  and  through  them 
to  the  general  and  capillary  circulations,  are  to  be  medicated 
on  similar  principles,  in  appropriate  correspondence  with 
their  respective  recuperative  diatheses.  As  long  as  life  lasts, 
it  lasts  by  stimulus; — and  whenever  the  organization  be- 
comes so  deeply  pathologized,  that  it  cannot  receive  and  dis- 
tribute the  necessary  stimuli,  to  produce  recuperative  exci- 
tations in  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  departments  of  it, 
and  is  thereby  rendered  preclusive  of  the  power  of  institut- 
ing any  other,  than  occasional  spasmodic  and   convulsive 
recuperation,  or  none  at  all,  the  principles  of  treatment  are 
not  altered ; — the  powers  of  the  constitution  are  to  be  ren- 
dered operative,  by  appropriately  potent  medication,  to  eli- 
mination of  the  morbid  phenomena  through  a  greater  or 
lesser  number  of  similarly  legitimate  outlets,  as  the  nature 
of  the  specific  case  may  require, — by  subduing  the  spasmodic 
and  convulsive  recuperation,  and  thereby  enabling  the  cen- 
tres of  vitality  to  extend  their  recuperative  exertions  to  the 
general  circulations,  and  to  be  then  medicated  to  appropri- 
ately critical  evacuations  through  the  legitimate  emunctories. 


216 

As  long  as  life  lasts,  it  lasts  through  the  reception  and  sa- 
lutary elaboration  of  salutary  stimuli, — and  even  when  the 
organization  is  pathologized  far  beyond  the  power  of  recupe- 
ration,— when  it  is  almost  totally  torpid  and  paralytic,  and 
its  innervating  centres  so  overwhelmed  by  the  causative 
agents  as  to  be  nearly  inoperative,  the  principles  of  treat- 
ment are  not  altered: — by  appropriate  medication  philosophi- 
cally instituted  and  perseveringly  persisted  in, — the  organi- 
zation may  still,  in  very  many  cases,  utterly  hopeless  under 
all  ordinary  medication,  be  unlocked  to  the  production  of 
such  recuperative  excitations,  as  are  in  all  cases  of  morbid  sen- 
sibilities from  whatsoever  causes  arising,  required  by  na- 
ture for  eliminating  the  pathological  phenomena  through  the 
appropriate  secretory  and  excretory  emunctories. 

Is  it  possible  to  witness  the  series  of  curative  phenomena 
arising  from  appropriately  potent  medication  in  such  hope- 
less cases,  leading  to  elimination  of  the  causative  agents  and 
morbid  sensibilities  occasioned  by  them,  without  acknow- 
ledging the  truth  of  our  philosophy  to  its  fullest  extent? 
Does  not  evidence  thus  elicited,  inevitably  compel  us  to  ac- 
knowledge the  nervous  system  to  be  the  sole  system  of 
man?  And  does  it  not  forthwith  lead  us  to  the  rejection  of 
all  empirical  and  routine  medication,  and  to  the  selection  and 
adoption  of  all  such  legitimately  philosophical  medication  as 
has  been  found,  (no  matter  when,  or  where,)  most  effectively 
eliminative  of  morbid  sensibilities  ?  It  leads,  therefore,  nearly 
to  a  total  revolution  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  by  enabling 
us  forthwith  to  select  the  good  and  reject  the  bad  reme- 
dial agents  required  for  the  treatment  of  all  diseases  what- 
soever. It  teaches  us  the  indispensable  necessity  in  all  cases, 
of  all  diseases,  however  local  or  general  they  may  be, — of 
selecting  in  each  and  every  case,  such  appropriate  remediate 
agents,  as  will  keep  the  alimonious  department  of  the  orga- 
nization free  from  all  acrid,  corroding,  and  poisonously  sti- 
mulant materials,  whether  consisting  of  depraved  chymous 
and  chylous  matters,  or  the  various  vitiated  and  corroding 
secretions  and  excretions,  or  other  feculent  substances, — 
which  if  retained  and  husbanded  with  Broussaian  care,  must 


217 

unavoidably  increase  the  rankling  operations  of  the  causative 
agents,  and  compel  the  conservative  powers  to  a  correspon- 
dent increase  of  the  identical  inflammatory  and  febrific  recu- 
peration, so  much  dreaded,  not  only  by  the  fashionable  phi- 
losophy,— but  by  all  the  philosophies  which  have  been  fabri- 
cated during  the  thousands  of  years  that  the  subject  of  medi- 
cine has  been  under  investigation.  Under  the  recognition 
of  the  nervous  power  being  the  whole  power  of  the  organi- 
zation, we  are  instructed  in  all  cases  of  super-ardent  recupe- 
ration, to  medicate  it  down  to  the  secretory  standard  of  ac- 
tion, and  keep  it  so  by  appropriately  philosophical  agents ; 
and  in  all  cases  of  deficient  recuperation,  to  raise  and 
strengthen  it  to  the  same  standard  by  appropriate  agents. 
These  constitute  all  the  therapeutical  indications  required 
by  true  philosophy  for  medicating  to  most  effective  elimina- 
tion, all  the  ills  that  flesh  and  blood  are  heir  to  ; — and  all 
philosophic  practitioners  under  the  recognition  of  our  funda- 
mental proposition  so  often  mentioned,  will  need  no  instruc- 
tion, as  to  the  selection  of  such  appropriately  specific  medi- 
cating agents  as  will  be  required  for  fulfilling  them,  to  the 
fullest  extent  demanded  by  our  philosophy,  which  leads  every 
intelligent  practitioner  with  the  certainty  of  intuitive  de- 
monstration to  the  selection  of  such  medication,  as  will  cure 
thousands  of  diseases,  of  which,  before  such  recognition,  he 
had  no  conception. 

The  time  is  certainly  rapidly  approaching,  when  all  talent- 
ed practitioners  will  find  themselves  unable  to  resist  acknow- 
ledging the  self-evidency  of  our  fundamental  proposition, — 
the  labours  of  many  distinguished  investigators  of  the  medi- 
cal sciences  are  rapidly  analyzing  the  organization  of  man  to 
the  production  of  such  results  as  will  inevitably  lead  to  such 
recognition.  They  will  then,  if  not  before,  recognize  the 
self-evidency  of  all  our  propositions,  and  the  principles  de- 
veloped by  them ; — and  when  they  apply  this  philosophy  to 
the  consideration  that  like  causes  in  like  quantities  produce 
like  eficcts,  only  in  like  organizations, — and  that  different 
causative  agents  are  productive  of  specifically  different  mor- 
bid effects,  they  will  acknowledge  the  specificity  of  diseases, 


218 

and  the  necessity  of  adopting  a  correspondent  specificity  of 
medication,  for  each  specific  morbid  sensibility,  whether  it 
originate  irritative,  inflammatory  and  febrific,  or  spasmodic 
and  convulsive,  or  paralytic,  or  no  recuperation  at  all.  They 
will,  under  the  unerring  guidance  of  this  true  philosophy, 
see  that  diseases  in  every  sense  considered  are  specific,  and 
that  they  are  general,  exclusively  in  the  sense,  that  they  all 
consist  of  morbid  sensibilities  or  depressions  and  congestions 
of  the  nervous  or  vital  energies  of  the  organic  structures  im- 
plicated in  them.  The  practice  of  medicine  is  or  should  be 
therefore,  the  practice  of  its  philosophy.  This  philosophy 
we  have  so  clearly  unrolled  to  the  observation  of  common 
sense,  that  its  applicability  to  the  most  successful  manage- 
ment of  all  morbid  sensibilities  from  whatsoever  causes 
arising,  and  whatever  departments  of  the  organization  in- 
vading, externally  or  internally,  becomes  forthwith  and  irre- 
sistibly obvious.  And  we  cannot  too  often  repeat,  that  the 
appropriate  appreciation  of  this  philosophy  directs  the  expe- 
rienced practitioner  with  the  unerring  certainty  and  celerity 
pertaining  to  intuitive  demonstration,  to  the  institution  of 
his  remediate  indications, — directs  him  in  all  cases  to  clear, 
and  keep  clear,  in  appropriate  degree,  the  assimilative  de- 
partment of  the  organization,  and  to  strengthen  and  regulate, 
or  lower  and  regulate,  the  recuperative  excitations  to  the 
eliminating  standard,  and  keep  them  so; — that,  by  the  con- 
tinuance of  appropriate  medication,  they  may  be  rendered 
conductive  to  the  thorough  elimination  of  the  causative 
agents,  and  their  morbid  consequences; — and  when  no  recu- 
perative excitations  are  raised,  directs  the  practitioner  with 
equal  promptitude  to  the  exhibition  of  such  internal,  and 
application  of  such  external  medications,  as  the  specificity  of 
the  morbid  sensibilities  may  require,  for  resolving,  and  so 
far  meliorating  and  relieving,  the  depressed  energies  of  the 
organization,  as  will  enable  its  innervating  centres  to  insti- 
tute such  appropriate  recuperation,  as  under  appropriate  me- 
dication, may  eliminate  the  specific  morbid  sensibilities. 

By  subjecting  this  philosophy  to  judicious  requisition, 
thousands  of  diseases  may  be  rapidly  eliminated  from  the 


219 

system,  whicli  under  such  ontologlcal  treatment  as  has  been 
prescribed  for  tlicm  b}'^  all  previous  philosophies  of  medi- 
cine, were  so  unavailing? 

Why  has  rheumatism  in  particular,  and  a  long  list  of  ana- 
logous diseases,  arising  from  similar  causes,  never  been  so 
thoroughly  cured  by  any  remediate  measures  which  have 
been  indicated  by  any  of  the  philosophies  which  have  been 
promulgated  to  the  world,  as  it  should  have  been,  and  may 
be?  Obviously,  because  the  authors  of  such  philosophies 
knew  nothing  at  all  about  the  pathologized  condition  of  the 
organization  constituting  the  disease.  Why  have  some  few 
intelligent  practitioners  lately  succeeded  in  rapidly  and 
effectively  curing  this  disease  by  the  appropriate  exhibition 
of  internal  and  application  of  external  medicating  agents  ? 
Because,  some  slight  approach  to  the  philosophy  of  the  pa- 
thological condition  constituting  it,  has  been  reached  by  a 
few  distinguished  physicians,  who  have  directed  their  inves- 
tigations with  more  than  ordinary  attention  to  the  operations 
of  the  nervous  system,  although  exclusively  in  such  an  in- 
sulated, divisible,  and  circumrotatory  manner,  as  will  for- 
ever preclude  them  from  realizing  the  total  philosophy  of 
the  total  nervous  organization  of  m.an.  They  have  therefore 
cured  the  disease  by  appropriate  medication,  without  reach- 
ing the  beautiful  total  philosophy  pertaining  to  it; — but  we 
have  cured  numerous  cases  of  all  grades,  both  of  the  acute 
and  chronic  kind,  as  they  are  unphilosophically  denominated, 
under  the  recognition  of  the  true  philosophy  of  the  nervous- 
organization,  by  means  nearly  similar,  producing  resolution 
and  expulsion  of  the  pathological  phenomena,  and  their 
effects,  in  a  few  hours  after  appropriately  preparing  ihe  assi- 
milative department  for  their  appropriate  curative  operations. 
The  paralyzed  and  toneless  condition  supervenient  to  the 
torpescent  operation  of  cold,  on  the  sentient  extremities  of 
the  nerves  supplying  the  various  compact  structures  of  the 
articulations,  are  sooner  or  later  succeeded  in  acute  rheuma- 
tism occurring  in  vigorous  constitutions,  by  such  super-ar- 
dent recuperation  as  far  transcends  the  secreting  standard 
necessary  to  effect  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  by 


220 

resolution.  To  aid  the  recuperative  excitations  to  effect 
elimination,  the  nutrient  region  must  be  appropriately  clear- 
ed, by  appropriately  specific  medication,  and  the  circulations 
appropriately  lowered  and  regulated  by  appropriate  vene- 
section, to  such  secretory  standard  as  is  indispensably  re- 
quired for  eliminative  operations ; — then  the  nervous  centres 
supplying  the  parts  implicated  in  th-e  morbid  sensibilities 
with  their  appropriately  vivificating  influences, — in  some 
cases  by  leeching,  in  more  by  cupping,  and  in  all  sooner  or 
later,  by  blistering,  may  be  rendered  operative  to  the  pro- 
duction of  thorough  resolution  and  elimination  in  a  few 
hours. 

In  all  cases  of  chronic  rheumatism,  the  indications  of 
treatment  are  the  same;  and  if  appropriately  executed,  will 
in  general  speedily  succeed, — and  in  all  cases  soon,  if  much 
disorganization  should  not  have  occurred  from  previous  at- 
tacks, by  ineffective  natural  recuperation,  or  by  inappropri- 
ate medication ; — and  even  when  such  disorganization  has 
occurred,  the  general  indications  of  treatment  are  not  altered; 
and  by  due  perseverance  in  appropriate  medication,  the 
impaired  articular  energies  may  be  restored  to  considerable 
sanatary  action,  in  all  cases  in  which  the  constitution  is  not 
destroyed  to  the  irrecuperative  extent. 

The  same  therapeutic  philosophy,  and  no  other,  is  scien- 
tifically operative  to  the  formation  of  such  curative  indica- 
tions, as  are  required  to  be  fully  executed  by  appropriate 
medication,  for  the  most  successful  treatment  of  the  long  list 
of  neuralgic  diseases.  The  general  indication  for  their  treat- 
ment is  the  same  ;— but  all  their  pathological  and  recupera- 
tive variations,  from  their  correspondent  causative  varia- 
tions, must  be  met  by  medications,  appropriately  and  speci- 
fically correspondent,  for  resolving  and  eliminating  their  re- 
spectively differing  morbid  sensibilities.  The  general  indi- 
cations for  treating  all  diseases  whatever,  however  mildly, 
or  concentratedly  congestive  of  nervous  energy  they  may 
be,  are  the  same;— subject  to  such  variations,  as  the  exigen- 
ces of  each  specific  case  may  require :— the  recuperative  ex- 
citations, when  they  are  raised  at  all  by  the  conservative 


221 

powers,  are  to  be  raised  or  lowered  to  the  secreting  stand- 
ard;  and  if  not  raised  at  all  by  the  natural  powers  of  the 

organization,  they  arc  to  be  excited  by  appropriately  potent 
medication,  and  conducted  to  the  one  and  only  standard  of 
salutary  action,  necessary  for  eliminating  all  morbid  sensibi- 
lities, from  all  causes. 

In  all  cases,  the  nervous  radicles  of  the  organization  must 
be  medicated,  and  kept  so,  to  the  appropriate  cognizance  of 
the  pathological  conditions ; — that  they  may  institute  such 
irritative,  or  inflammatory,  or  febrific  recuperations,  as  may 
be  required  for  their  elimination: — for  such  recuperative  ex- 
citations, either  of  the  primary  or  consecutive  kind,  must  be 
excited  by  nature  or  art,  for  the  cure  of  all  diseases : — there- 
fore all  the  spasmodic  and  convulsive,  and  all  the  anomalous 
abortive  recuperations  are  to  be  allayed  by  appropriately 
potent  medications,  to  render  the  cerebro-spinal  radicles 
originative  of  total  innervation,  operative  to  the  production 
of  the  requisite  recuperative  excitations  in  the  circulations, 
for  the  production  of  elimination  through  the  legitimate  out- 
lets of  the  organization : — and  when  the  causative  agents 
have  paralyzed  the  organization  completely  to  irrecupera- 
tion,  such  medication  must  be  resorted  to,  as  will  resolve 
such  paralysis,  and  stimulate  and  strengthen  the  nervous 
centres  to  the  production  and  maintenance  of  such  febrifie 
recuperation,  as  by  appropriate  remediate  management,  may 
be  rendered  conductive  to  the  expulsion  of  the  pathological 
phenomena. 

We  thus  present  to  the  medical  profession  a  philosophic 
system  of  medication,  applicable  to  all  the  pathological  and 
recuperative  phenomena  that  the  organization  of  man  can  be 
rendered  receptive  of,  from  every  possible  variety  of  cause, 
that  can  under  any  circumstances  assail  him  in  every  depart- 
ment of  our  creation,  now  and  till  time  shall  be  no  more.  The 
practice  of  medicine  is  the  practice  of  its  philosophy,— and 
we  have  exhibited  to  palpable  observation  and  appreciation, 
such  universal  philosophy,  as  will  enable  all  intelligent  and 
judicious  practitioners  to  cure  thousands  of  diseases,  in  a 
29 


222 

rapid  and  thorough  manner,  because  they  can,  under  its 
appropriate  recognition,  understand  and  appreciate  the  pa- 
thological phenomena  constituting  all  diseases,  and  the  recu- 
perative phenomena  raised  for  their  resolution  and  expulsion. 
Through  the  inductive  process  of  ratiocination,  he  will  reach 
such  knowledge  of  the  series  of  most  of  the  causes,  leading 
to  the  production  of  pathological  phenomena,  as  amounts  to 
intuitive  demonstration  ; — and  will  therefore  see  that  the 
philosophy  of  practice  consists  in  medicating  the  recupera- 
tive phenomena,  (whenever  they  are  raised,)  to  the  neces- 
sary standard  of  secreting  action,  for  eliminating  the  patho- 
logical phenomena; — and  when  such  recuperative  pheno- 
mena are  not  raised  by  the  conservative  powers,  to  raise 
them  by  appropriately  potent  medication,  and  conduct  them 
by  the  continuance  of  medication  appropriate  to  the  recupe- 
rative excitations  thus  raised,  to  the  secreting  and  excreting 
standard  of  action  indispensably  necessary  for  eliminating 
all  morbid  sensibilities  whatsoever.  And  the  intelligent 
practitioner,  while  practising  such  philosophy,  should  never 
lose  sight  of  the  undeniable  fact, — that  as  all  medicating 
agents  act  stimulantly,  such  appropriate  agents  must  be  se- 
lected in  all  cases,  as  will  more  than  fully  correspond  in  ef- 
ficacy, with  the  depressively  stimulating  operations  of  the 
causative  agents.  Our  system  is  the  philosophy  of  common 
sense,  recognizing  the  nervous  system  to  be  the  true  and 
only  system  of  man,  and  leading  the  practitioner  direct  to 
the  exhibition  and  application  of  his  remedies  to  such  sys- 
tem, in  a  philosophical  manner,  with  appropriate  reference 
in  all  cases  to  the  structural  varieties  of  the  organization  and 
correspondent  varieties  of  actions  pertaining  to  them  nor- 
mally and  abnormally. 

The  nervous  system  therefore, — the  beautiful,  harmonious, 
total  system  of  man, — the  exclusively  reproductive  and  con- 
tinuative  cause  of  all  his  corporeal  and  intellectual  organiza- 
tion, is  in  its  healthy  physiological  condition  of  action  won- 
derfully adapted  to  the  reception  and  transmission  of  all  the 
different  and  varied  degrees  of  appropriate  stimuli  furnished 
by  the  physical  department  of  creation,  for  the  performance 


223 

of  all  the  different  and  varied  functional  operations,  of  all  the 
different  and  varied  organs  constituting  him  this  beautiful 
harmonious  whole  being.  Hence  the  differently  varied  de- 
grees, of  the  differently  varied  sensibilities,  of  the  differently 
varied  departments  of  the  system, — though  all  v^rorking  in 
unison  to  the  production  and  continuation  of  one  beautiful 
harmonious  whole,  in  the  healthy  physiological  condition  of 
the  system,  are  to  be  scientifically  noted  and  recognized, 
whenever  the  organization  becomes  pathologized  from  what- 
soever causes.  And  these  causes  are  to  be  philosophically 
investigated,  and  appropriately  estimated,  because  specifi- 
cally different  in  composition  from  each  other, — therefore 
originating  specifically  different  pathological  phenomena; — 
and  these  pathological  phenomena  are  not  only  different  from 
each  other  as  thus  arising  from  causative  differences,  but  dif- 
ferent according  to  the  different  functional  operations  of  the 
different  structures  of  the  different  departments  of  the  orga- 
nization invaded  by  the  causative  agents,  and  the  different 
powers  of  resistance  manifested  by  such  organization  ; — and 
of  course,  the  recuperative  phenomena  arising  from  such  va- 
rieties of  proximate  causes,  are  to  be  considered  as  corres- 
pondently  various,  and  requiring  correspondently  varied 
therapeutical  indications,  for  eliminating  the  pathological 
phenomena. 

This  view  of  the  structural  variety  of  man's  organization 
in  its  salutary  physiological  state,  acting  to  the  completion 
of  one  beautiful  harmonious  whole,  leads  us  inevitably  to  re- 
cognize both  the  specificity,  and  locality  of  diseases;  and 
consequently  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  to  the  philosophical 
necessity  of  specifically  appropriate  medication,  for  their  eli- 
mination. 

Therefore,  in  all  cases,  of  all  diseases,  arising  from  all 
causes, — we  are  to  have  constantly  in  view,  the  rationale  of 
the  salutary  operations  of  all  the  different  structures  of  the 
organization,  that  we  may  appropriately  estimate  the  patho- 
logized conditions  of  such  structures  of  it,  as  have  been  in- 
vaded by  the  causative  agents; — so  that  we  may  not  only  be 
conducted  to  the  exhibition  and  application  of  such  specific 


224 

remediate  means  as  may  be  most  philosophically  indicated, 
by  such  knowledge  of  the  salutary  physiological  actions  of 
the  parts  implicated  in  the  morbid  sensibilities  for  eifecting 
their  elimination ; — but  at  the  same  time,  if  the  case  should 
require  it,  to  the  use  of  such  appropriate  remedies,  as  may 
act  appropriately  for  thorough  elimination,  on  the  organiza- 
tion generally, — as  a  whole  system,  a  nervous  system,  with 
cerebro-spinal  radicles,  originating  and  conveying  through 
their  messengers  the  nerves,  all  the  respective  vital  powers, 
to  all  the  respective  departments  of  the  organization — to  the 
production  of  harmonious  unity  of  action. 

In  such  recognition  consists  the  exclusive  philosophy  of 
all  medication,  for  all  diseases  whatever,  to  which  the  orga- 
nization can  be  made  subject,  from  every  possible  variety  of 
cause,  now,  and  forever.  Under  the  recognition  of  this  in- 
dubitable philosophy,  thousands  of  diseases  heretofore  con- 
sidered, as  belonging  to  the  long  roll  of  the  opprobria  me- 
dicorum,  may  be  medicated  to  successful  elimination  in  a 
rapid  and  thorough  manner,  perfectly  astonishing  to  bibli- 
othecal  practitioners, — by  appropriately  aiding  the  recupera- 
tive excitations,  in  restrictedly  local  diseases,  manifested  by 
the  surrounding  sentient  nervous  power  in  the  capillary  cir- 
culation of  the  distempered  region, — and  in  more  general 
diseases,  by  appropriately  aiding  the  recuperative  excitations 
manifested  in  all  the  circulations,  by  either  raising  or  de- 
pressing the  actions  of  the  nervous  centres; — or,  when  these 
nervous  centres  are,  by  the  causative  agents,  rendered  in- 
operative to  the  institution  of  any  other,  than  spasmodic  and 
convulsive  recuperation,  or  none  at  all, — by  resolving  such 
abortive  recuperation,  by  appropriate  medication,  and  stimu- 
lating and  strengthening  the  nervous  radicles,  to  the  produc- 
tion of  the  necessary  recuperative  excitations  in  all  the  cir- 
culations,— that  by  the  continuance  of  appropriate  medica- 
tion, the  morbid  sensibilities  may  be  evacuated  through 
their  legitimate  outlets. 

All  talented  and  experienced  practitioners  of  the  science 
of  medicine,  will,  under  the  appropriate  recognition  and  es- 
timation, of  the  principles  developed  by  this  philosophy,  be 


225 

conducted  straight  forward  to  such  effective  and  appropriate 
scientific  medication,  as  will  soon  shorten  the  long  roll  of 
diseases,  for  the  unsuccessful  management  of  which,  physi- 
cians have  been  so  tauntingly  stigmatized,  by  the  reproachful 
appellative  above  mentioned : — for,  there  are  but  few  diseases, 
that  from  their  very  nature,  can  be  philosophically  admitted, 
to  be  positively  incurable: — some  of  these  we  have  mention- 
ed, and  assigned  appropriate  reasons,  for  their  incurability, — 
and  the  scientific  appreciation  of  this  philosophy,  will  readily 
indicate  the  reasons,  of  incurability,  for  all  such  as  we  have 
not  mentioned. 

Therefore,  intelligent,  experienced,  and  judicious  medical 
philosophers,  through  appropriate  estimation  of  the  self- 
evident  principles  developed  by  our  philosophy,  will,  forth- 
with, institute  with  scientific  precision,  all  the  remediate 
measures  most  effectively  adapted  to  eliminate  all  patholo- 
gical phenomena  from  the  organization,  which  have  not  po- 
sitively depressed  and  congested  its  nervous  energies  to  the 
extent  of  irrecuperation,  both  by  the  conservative  powers 
and  appropriate  medication. 

We  have  thus  presented  to  the  consideration  of  medical 
philosophers,  the  outlines  of  such  philosophy  of  medicine, 
as  are  irresistibly  demanded  for  recognition  by  nature,reason, 
religion,  and  common  sense; — all  demonstrably  proclaiming 
man  to  be  the  connecting  link  between  the  celestial  and  ter- 
restrial creations,  and  that  he  is  so  made,  exclusively  through 
the  instrumentality  of  his  nervous  organization,  which  con- 
nects him  with  his  Creator — and  time  with  eternity. 

We  have  reached  this  philosophy,  through  such  inductive 
process  of  reasoning,  as  can  neither  be  rejected  nor  derided. 

The  primal  and  ultimate  links  composing  the  reasoning 
chain,  which  leads  to  the  acquisition  of  the  true  philosophies, 
not  only  of  medicine  and  religion,  but  of  all  other  sciences, 
within  the  realizing  reach  of  man,  commence  with,  and  ter- 
minate in,  the  will  of  Deity.  Man,  therefore,  the  direct 
product  of  the  will  of  Deity,  and  organized  for  existence  in 
time  and  eternity,  is  made  so,  exclusively  through  the  in- 
evitable operations  of  his  nervous  organization, — endowed 


226 

with  powers  irresistibly  compelling  him  to  the  reproduction 
of  similar  organizations,  with  similar  powers  for  perpetuity 
in  time  and  eternity. 

The  philosophy,  therefore,  pertaining  to  the  sublime  beau- 
ties, both  of  natural  and  revealed  religion,  is  exclusively  re- 
cognizable, through  the  intellectual  operations  elicited  by 
the  nervous  organization  of  man; — and  the  philosophy  of 
medicine,  with  all  its  beauties,  is  exclusively  discernible, 
through  the  operativeness  of  the  same  nervous  power, — the 
direct  product  of  Deity,  as  manifested  in  his  original,  present, 
and  future  creation  of  man.  Both  philosophies,  therefore, 
and  all  other  philosophies  of  all  other  sciences,  within  the 
reach  of  man,  are  founded  exclusively  on  such  operations,  as 
are  inevitably  consequent  to  such  organization  as  Deity  has 
given  man,  for  the  governance  and  regulation  of  his  conduct 
here  in  time, — to  prepare  for  that  eternity  of  duration  of 
blessedness,  which,  through  the  operations  of  the  very 
ground-work  of  his  being, — he  sees  so  clearly  destined  for 
him. 

We  thus  open  for  perusal,  the  basis  of  all  the  books  which 
are  necessary  to  be  made  and  studied,  for  understanding  the 
philosophies  of  all  the  sciences,  which  can  be  realized  through 
the  best  directed  and  most  perfected  operations  of  the  nervous 
organization  of  man  in  time. 

We  may  well,  therefore,  inculcate  the  indispensable  neces- 
sity of  studying  the  nervous  organization  of  man,  through 
the  operations  of  which,  he  is  made  by  Deity  a  sentient, 
motive,  and  intellectual  being,  for  eternal  duration. 

We  settle  then,  not  only  the  philosophy  of  medicine,  but 
the  philosophies  of  all  the  sciences,  on  the  operations,  in- 
evitably sequential  to  such  organization,  as  Deity  has  given 
to  man.  This  is  self-evidently  the  constitutional  foundation, 
on  which  they  must  all  rest, — till  time  be  merged  in 
eternity. 

We  utterly  disclaim,  therefore,  all  the  visionary  specula- 
tions of  all  the  enigmatical  and  mystical  metaphysicians  and 
theologians,  that  have  ever  been  subjected  to  the  considera- 
tion of  man, — because  radically  erroneous,  unintelligibly 


227 

complicate,  and  utterly  subversive  of  the  exercise  of  all  such 
powers,  as  arc  inherent  in  the  nervous  organization  of  man, 
and  under  appropriate  direction,  rendered  inevitably  opera- 
tive to  the  development  of  all  the  philosophy  of  all  the  know- 
led"-e  within  the  compass  of  man's  attainment  in  his  present 
state  of  existence. 

We  set  man  straight  onward  in  the  path  which  conducts 
him  to  the  acquisition  of  the  true  philosophy  of  all  true  mo- 
rality and  religion; — and  inculcate  the  indispensable  neces- 
sity of  his  rationally  and  devoutly  practising  all  the  virtues 
pertaining  to  them, — to  insure  happiness  in  time  and  eternity. 

We  are  aware  that  this  system  of  philosophy,  although  so 
simple  and  plain  that  common  sense  unhesitatingly  recog- 
nizes it  to  be  conclusively  applicable  to  the  thorough  expla- 
nation and  satisfactory  elucidation  of  all  the  physiological 
and  pathological  phenomena  incident  to  the  organization  of 
man, — here  and  every  where,  through  all  time, — may  be 
assailed,  denied  and  controverted,  but  not  disproved. 

We  are  fully  aware  of  all  the  objections  that  may  be  raised 
for  preventing  its  recognition  and  adoption,  and  respectfully 
solicit  their  presentment  for  refutation. 

We  know  that  all  our  propositions — the  principles  deve- 
loped by  them — and  all  the  illustrations  we  have  deduced 
from  them,  may  be  denied  and  controverted.  We  respect- 
fully solicit  such  denial  and  controversy — and  the  most  rigid, 
scrutinizing  analysis  of  our  philosophy— from  the  beginning 
to  the  end  of  it.  All  the  philosophy,  of  all  the  knowledge, 
within  the  power  of  man's  attainment  in  time,  must  be 
brought  for  recognition  and  adoption  to  the  unerring  standard 
of  common  sense: — and  to  this,  the  only  legitimate  test, 
we  have  brought  all  our  reasonings,  all  our  explanations  and 
conclusions; — and  here  they  will  remain  unanswerably  true 
through  all  time, —  for  what  is  true  now  will  remain  so  for- 
ever. We  are  prepared  for  all  objections  from  all  sources, 
and  have  their  refutation  at  hand. 

That  God  primarily  created  man  for  mortal  and  immortal 
existence,  by  endowing  his  organization  with  powers  inevi- 
tably operative  to  the  production  of  such  eflfects,  and  with 


228 

powers  for  creating  organized  beings  similar  to  his  own,  for 
similar  existence  and  enjoyment  in  time  and  eternity,  will 
not  be  denied; — and  that  this  influence  or  power  of  the  or- 
ganization of  man  for  the  production  of  his  own  kind, — for 
the  production  of  mortal  and  immortal  existences  similar  to 
himself, — can  be  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the  exertion  of 
power  equal  in  effect  to  such  as  was  used  by  Deity  in  his 
primary  formation  of  man,  is  self-evident.  Deity  therefore 
endowed  the  organization  of  man  with  this  creative  power, 
and  it  should  be  the  first  and  last  duty  of  philosophical  man 
to  recognize  and  appreciate  it.  This  creative  power  of  man, 
instrumentally  operative  in  his  organization  through  the  will 
of  Deity, — connecting  him  with  heaven  and  earth, — with 
eternity  and  time, — must  constitute  him  a  whole  being, — 
endowed  with  powers  for  existing  in  time  and  eternity. 

Can  an  organization  thus  endowed,  be  philosophically  con- 
sidered other  than  a  whole  being,  deriving  its  powers  for 
existence  here  and  hereafter,  from  one  general  vivificating 
principle  inherent  and  exclusively  operative  in  it,  for  exist- 
ence in  both  worlds  ?  Can  such  a  noble  being,  therefore,  as 
man,  be  considered  with  any  plausible  show  of  philosophy, 
as  deriving  his  powers  of  mortal  and  immortal  existence 
from  a  plurality  of  radical  powers  inherent  and  operative  in 
his  organization, — because  nerves  are  not  through  dissections, 
or  other  investigating  processes,  to  be  sensibly  traced  in  the 
compact  structures  of  the  organization,  cellular  membrane, 
&c.  ?  Do  medical  philosophers  wait  for  a  view  of  the  compo- 
nent essences  of  the  vitality  of  man,  before  they  can  recog- 
nize its  unity  of  formation  and  action  ?  They  may  as  well 
wait  for  the  component  essences  of  their  Creator.  Is  not  the 
philosophy  of  analogy  to  be  consulted  in  forming  our  con- 
clusions respecting  the  structure  and  action  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  man, — and  does  not  such  analogy  lead  us  self-evi- 
dently  to  all  our  conclusions  ?  Does  not  such  knowledge  as 
we  already  possess,  respecting  the  structure  and  action  of 
the  system  of  man,  lead  us  to  an  inevitable  recognition  of 
all  our  propositions  and  inferences  from  them, — to  the  irre- 
sistible light  of  intuitive  demonstration  ? 


229 

Can  the  divisible  and  circumrotatory  method  of  anatomiz- 
ing and  physiolo^iTiing  man,  so  self-evidently  destined  for 
eternal  existence,  through  the  powers  inherent  and  inevita- 
bly thus  operative  in  his  nervous  organization,  be  much 
longer  sanctioned?  Do  not  natural  and  revealed  religion,  and 
common  sense,  proclaim  the  unphilosophicalness  of  such  a 
method  of  studying  an  immortal  being? 

Is  it  not  strange, — passing  strange,  that  such  a  noble  be- 
ing as  man  should  never  have  been  recognized  by  any  phi- 
losopher, in  a  philosophical  sense  considered,  as  having  a 
head? 

Wc  are  told  by  eminent  anatomists  and  physiologists,  that 
it  is  matter  of  very  little  consequence  where  we  begin  to  in- 
vestigate the  organization  of  man;  because,  if  we  continue 
our  researches  long  enough,  we  shall  come  round  to  the 
very  same  point  whence  we  started.  This  is  certainly  a  very 
deceptive,  illusory,  and  unphilosophical  method  of  proceed- 
ing, and  utterly  preclusive  of  our  ever  arriving  at  a  know- 
ledge of  the  organization  of  man,  as  a  whole,  endowed  with 
powers  for  everlasting  existence. 

If  medical  philosophers  will  simply  consider,  and  proper- 
ly appreciate,  the  nature  of  the  energies  exerted  by  the 
sexes  for  the  reproduction  of  immortal  existences  similar  to 
their  own; — if  they  will  simply  reflect,  that  the  total  powers 
of  their  organizations  are  concentrated,  for  eliciting  their  ap- 
propriate germs  of  reproduction,  and  effecting  their  appro- 
priate conjunction  in  the  vivificating  apparatus  of  the  fe- 
male;— and  that  from  the  instant  of  conception,  or  junction 
of  these  vital  germs,  in  the  matrical  nidus  of  the  female, 
there  is  a  constant  afflux  to  it,  of  all  the  appropriate  sensi- 
bilities elaborated  by  her  organization,  for  the  inceptive  and 
progressive  fecundation,  development  and  formation  of  the 
foetal  vitality,  till  it  attain  a  head,  sufficiently  matured  for 
soliciting  its  expulsion — surely  they  will  admit  that  a  philo- 
sophical necessity  exists  for  giving  to  man  a  head,  and  as- 
signing it  for  a  startingpoint  in  all  their  medical  investigations. 

And  if  they  will  further  consider  the  progress  of  the  foetal 
30 


230 

vitality  to  its  gradual  maturity, — that  the  nutrient  depart- 
ment of  the  new  being,  (without  which  it  cannot  be  made,) 
is  first  formed, — the  spinal  column  next, — and  the  cranium 
last, — to  complete  its  ability  for  stimulating  the  uterus  to  the 
necessary  contractions,  or  vital  operations,  for  effecting  its 
egress  into  time, — and  probation  for  eternity; — surely  they 
must  admit,  that  man's  organization  is  exclusively  nervous, 
from  his  inceptive  germ  of  vivification,  until  he  is  transmit- 
ted, through  the  extinction  of  his  corporeal  nature,  to  the 
ethereal  creations  of  everlasting  duration. 

Man,  therefore,  through  the  will  of  Deity,  is  a  creative 
and  reproductive  being,  exclusively  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  his  exclusively  nervous  organization. 

All  creation  implies  the  previous  operation  of  sensation, 
or  sensibility; — and  all  the  necessary  sensations,  for  all  the 
necessary  secretions,  and  absorptions,  and  all  other  vital 
elaborations,  and  therefore  creations,  of  the  nutrient,  or  or- 
ganic region  of  vitality,  (as  it  is  fashionably  called,)  are  pri- 
marily furnished  by  the  plastic  and  animalizing  maternal 
sensibilities  determined  to  the  uterus  and  its  appendages; — 
and  by  the  continued  operation  of  the  maternal  powers  thus 
determined,  and  creatively  operative,  the  spinal  and  cerebral 
centres  for  the  total  organization  of  the  new  being  are  form- 
ed in  utero,  and  gradually  increased  in  growth  and  strength, 
till  it  attains  such  maturity  of  animal  life  as  to  solicit  its  ex- 
pulsion. 

The  foetal  vitality  has  now  terminated,  and  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  illustrations  pertaining  to  the  existence  of 
man  in  time  instantaneously  opens  to  our  view  of  the  free, 
open,  and  palpably  appreciative  operations  of  the  several  ap- 
propriate physical  stimuli  for  originating  and  continuing 
through  the  receptive,  transmissive,  and  distributive  opera- 
tions of  the  nervous  organization  of  man,  all  the  necessary 
sensibilities,  for  the  continued  formation,  growth,  and  deve- 
lopment of  the  child,  to  its  mature  state  of  manhood. 

The  foetal  vitality  therefore  is  originated  and  perfected  by 
the  organic  and  animal  sensibilities  of  the  reproductive 
agents; — but  is  afterwards  dependent  for  its  growth,  and 


231 

perfection  to  manhood,  and  continuance  in  time,  on  such 
sensibilities  as  it  receives  by  and  through  the  operations  of 
its  nervous  organization,  from  the  stimuli  furnished  for  iis 
use  by  the  physical  creations. 

We  thus  have  incontrovertible  evidence  to  prove  that  sen- 
sibility is  the  radical,  creative,  and  continuative  property  of 
vitalit)^  As  are  therefore  the  sensibilities  of  the  reproductive 
agents  during  their  venereal  congress, — and  as  are  the  ma- 
ternal sensibilities  during  the  formation  and  growth  to  foital 
maturity,  such  will  be  the  characteristics  of  their  offspring, — 
more  or  less  virtuous,  therefore  more  or  less  perfect, — more 
or  less  vicious,  therefore  more  or  less  imperfect ;— virtues 
and  vices  are  consequently  hereditary,  as  well  as  diseases. 
The  sensibility  pertaining  to  the  organization  of  man,  is 
more  or  less  perfect,— exclusively  in  a  comparative  sense. 
The  utmost  extent  to  which  the  sensibility  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  man  can  exalt  him,  is  to  an  expectant  anticipative 
view,  of  the  glories  awaiting  his  translation  to  the  eternal 
world,  through  the  death  of  his  corporeal  nature  in  the  pre- 
sent.' The  sensibilities  pertaining  to  all  existences  between 
man  and  Deity,  are  more  or  less  perfect,  according  to  their 
gradation  in  the  scale  which  reaches  to  absolute  perfection 
in  Deity. 

Perfect  sensibility  is  the  essence  of  Deity,  from  whence 
emanates  all  the  God-like  attributes  of  perfectibility,  dis- 
played to  man,  and  all  other  existences,  destined  for  eternal 
duration  in  all  his  creations. 

We  have  thus  finished  a  philosophy  of  medicine,  irresisti- 
bly called  for  by  nature,  reason,  common  sense,  and  reli- 
gion:—such  a  philosophy,  therefore,  as  cannot  be  stigma- 
tized with  ontological  reprobation,  because  exclusively  found- 
ed on  a  beautiful  series  of  self-evident  propositions,  develop- 
ing equally  self-evident  principles,  conclusively  applicable 
to  the  thorough  solution  of  all  the  physiological,  pathologi- 
cal, and  recuperative  phenomena,  pertaining  to  the  organi- 
zation of  man,  both  in  his  healthy  and  diseased  conditions, 
in  whatever  regions  of  our  creation  he  may  be  found,  under 
every  possible  variety  of  circumstances.     We  worship  no 


232 

other  Deity  than  the  omnipotent  architect  of  universal  crea- 
tion,— who  has  made  the  nervous  organization  of  man,  to  be 
by  its  inevitable  operations,  the  generator  and  continuator  of 
our  being  here  in  time,  and  by  its  wonderful  intellectual 
operations,  the  glorious  causative  anticipator  of  immortal  fe- 
licities in  the  ethereal  creations. 

Our  philosophy  clearly  opens  to  scientific  apprehension  all 
the  principles  necessary  for  attaining  all  the  certainty  that 
the  science  of  medicine,  by  the  labours  of  man,  can  ever  be 
made  to  reach  in  all  its  branches. 

The  visionary  notions  of  many  riledical  philosophers  about 
resolving  the  physiological  or  pathological  operations  per- 
taining to  man,  into  positive  mathematical  demonstration, 
may  be  abandoned; — for  man  is  not  a  machine  to  be  analyzed 
into  such  demonstration, — but  an  immor-tal  being  emanating 
from  Deity,  and  destined  by  the  laws  of  vitality  given  to  his 
nervous  organization,  (which  both  in  health  and  disease,  are 
rendered  by  true  philosophy  presentive  to  intuitive  demon- 
stration,) to  run  a  certain  course  to  such  dissolution  here  in 
time — as  may  permit  his  unincumbered  translation  to  the 
ethereal  regions  of  endless  blessedness. 

This  philosophy  illustrating  to  intuitive  demonstration  all 
the  salutary  and  insalutary  phenomena  pertaining  to  man, — 
will  be  exhibited  more  particularly  to  the  medical  profession 
in  a  future  work  on  the  practice  of  medicine. 

We  shall  conclude  therefore  this  present  work,  with  ob-^ 
serving,  that  our  philosophy  leads  us  direct  to  the  adoration 
of  the  magnificent  author  of  all  the  creations, — and  to  that 
of  his  creation  of  man  in  particular, — whom  he  has  made  but 
little  lower  than  his  angels, — to  be  a  connecting  link  between 
his  celestial  and  terrestrial  creations,~the  anticipative  par- 
ticipator of  the  endless  felicities  of  the  first, — and  positive 
participator  of  all  the  happiness  of  the  second; — consequent- 
ly recognizes  the  whole  philosophy  of  religion, — and  incul- 
cates the  exercise  of  all  its  virtues, — to  insure  to  man  his 
translation  to  the  ethereal  creations  of  endless  blessedness. 

THE  END. 


AN    APPENDIX: 


CONTAINING  AN  ENUMERATION  OF  SOME  OF  THE  GENERAL  COROLLA- 
RIES RESULTING  FROM  THE  PREMISES  COMPOSING  THE  PRECEDING 
WORK  AND  ITS  INTRODUCTION. 


SECTION  I 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  COROLLARIES. 


I.  The  Universe  is  physical  in  its  nature— in  its  structure  and  operation 
— ^throughout  all  the  variations  of  the  materials  composing  it,  from  its 
elementary  molecules — its  monadic  existences,  to  its  Baconian  and  New- 
tonian— and  through  analogy  we  legitimately  conclude,  to  its  Cherubic 
and  Seraphic. 

IL  Life  as  manifested  in  healthy  organization,  throughout  the  whole 
range  of  animated  nature,  cannot  be  philosophically  considered  a  forced 
state— a  warfare  with  the  physical  creations— but  the  result  of  their  vivi- 
fying influences,  operative  in  and  through  a  direct  series  of  cause  and 
effect,  to  the  appropriate  formation  and  preservation  of  the  earth,  and  all 
the  other  habitable  worlds  of  the  Universe,  to  the  creation  and  preserva- 
tion of  man,  and  all  other  beings  generically  similar  to  him,  existent  in 
all  the  other  creations,  consequently 

in.  Sensibility  is  the  radical  property  inherent  and  inevitably  operative 
throughout  all  the  organic  creations  of  the  Universe,  and  throughout  the 
ethereal  ocean  in  which  they  respectively  perform  their  revolutions ;  and 
all  the  geological,  vegetable,  and  animal  creations  pertaining  to  them, 
throughout  all  their  organic  combinations  and  variations,  are  respectively 
created  and  sustained  by  their  respective  sensibilities,  viz  :  their  inherent 
and  inc\itably  operative  powers  of  absorbing  and  elaborating  the  appropri- 
ate stimuli  of  vitality. 

31 


APPENDIX. 


IV.  These  respective  sensibilities,  or  radical  properties  of  the  respective 
organic  creations,  constituting  the  Universe,  are  the  direct  effects  result- 
ing from  the  operation  of  the  stimuli  emanating  from  their  respective  cen- 
tral luminaries,  throughout  a  direct  series  of  causation,  inceptive  in  Deity, 
and  operative  through  a  sublime  and  beautiful  series  of  causation,  to  the 
production  of  immortal  existences. 

V.  Man  therefore,  of  all  the  creations,  is  endowed  with  the  highest 
species  of  sensibility — a  sensibility  approaching  in  purity  and  perfection 
— and  through  the  grand  power  of  innervation,  governing  and  regulating 
it,  to  the  elaboration  of  the  moral  and  intellectual  faculties ;  empowered 
to  become  so  in  efficacy,  to  the  perfect  sensibility  characterizing  the  essen- 
tial nature  of  Deity. 

VI.  Human  life,  therefore,  is  the  ultimity  and  perfection  of  the  creating 
influence  of  Deity,  as  far  as  he  has  displayed  it  to  observation,  through  a 
chain  of  causation,  leading  direct  to  the  production  of  man,  viz :  to  the 
grand  formative  and  preservative  powers  of  Neurosity,  which  govern  and 
ri;gulate  his  existence  in  time,  to  prepare  him  for  eternity  : — through  such 
chain  of  causation,  we  consequentially  recognise,  that  all  the  creations 
were  made  and  subjected  to  such  radical  powers  of  action,  through  the 
laws  of  motion  and  gravity,  as  inevitably  resulted  in  preparing  them  for 
the  creation  and  residence  of  immortal  existences,  through  the  operations 
of  the  grand  law  of  innervation  hence  arising. 

VII.  This  law  of  innervation  in  the  soundest  constitutions,  independent 
of  its  liabihty  to  be  deleteriously  affected  by  the  causative  agents  of  dis- 
ease, is  liable  sooner  or  later  to  decay,  and  become  extinct  in  time  ;  and 
60  are  all  the  creations  which  are  operative  to  its  production. 

VIII.  Human  nature,  although  created  after  the  image  of  Deity,  was 
created  imperfect,  and  destined  to  extinction  in  time,  that  it  might  be 
prepared  to  exist  for  ever  ; — so  all  the  creations  which  were  made  for 
man,  or  immortal  existences  generically  similar  to  him,  were  made  imper- 
fect, and  destined  unavoidably  sooner  or  later,  to  rush  to  destruction,  that 
they  might  be  replaced  by  perfect  creations,  endowed  with  powers  for 
everlasting  revolution. 

IX.  Hence  tiie  scriptural  history  of  the  creation  and  destination  of  man, 
through  the  effects  inevitably  resulting  from  a  beautiful  series  of  natural 
causes,  is  rendered  palpable  to  the  ordinary  observation  of  mankind, — 
through  which  they  cannot  fail  to  legitimately  recognise,  the  felicitating 
commandments  enjoined  on  their  observance  by  Deity,  both  through  the 
religion  of  their  nature,  and  its  confirmation  by  revelation. 

The  road  to  happiness  here  and  for  ever,  may  thus  be  presented  to  their 
inevitable  recognition  and  enjoyment,  through  the  exercise  of  all  the  de- 
lightful virtues  inculcated  by  natural,  and  confirmed  by  Revealed  Reli- 
gion.    Through  such  recognition  alone,  can  mankind  become  disenthralled 


ArrE>Dix.  ui 

from  the  coiTupting  influbnces  of  the  metapliysics  of  spiritualism,  which 
have  been  dominant  tlirougliout  tlic  world,  since  the  fall  of  man  from  his 
native  nobility  of  constitution. 

X.  It  is  thus,  and  thus  only,  through  reasoning  arising  from  the  most 
palpable  observation  and  experiment  on  the  constitution  of  man,  that  \vc 
can  philosophically  recognise  his  origination  from,  and  return  to  Deity, 
for  everlasting  happiness,  or  misery,  according  to  the  manner  in  which  he 
has  performed  his  probationary  duties  in  time.  It  is  thus,  and  thus  only, 
through  such  reasoning,  that  we  can  philosophically  comprehend  the  wis- 
dom of  Deity  in  making  man,  and  all  the  creations  supporting  him,  im- 
perfect, and  in  endowing  man,  the  highest  of  his  creations,  with  the  powers 
of  becoming  prepared  in  time, — for  eternity. 

XI.  Physiology,  therefore,  has  its  foundation  and  termination  in  Deity, 
and  is  thus  recognisable  to  all  satisfactory  demonstration,  through  a  beau- 
tiful series  of  causes  and  effects,  all  leading  directly  to  the  production  of 
immortal  existences,  endowed  with  such  inherent  and  inevitably  operative 
powers,  as  effect  their  return  to  the  same  Almighty  source  from  whence 
they  thus  originated. 

XII.  It  is,  therefore,  exclusively  through  the  legitimacy  of  physiological 
recognition,  that  mankind  can  ever  universally  reach  the  legitimate  phi- 
losophy of  natural  and  revealed  Religion,  and  fully  recognise  and  appre- 
ciate the  indispensable  necessity,  of  practising  all  the  delectable  virtues 
inculcated  by  them,  for  the  great  purposes  of  securing  their  temporal  and 
eternal  welfare. 

XIII.  We  may  well  then  conclude,  that  no  knowledge  is  of  any  utility 
to  an  immortal  being,  except  that  which  can  be  recognised  to  be  immedi- 
ately derivative  from  Deity,  through  a  direct  series  of  natural  causes, 
leading  to  the  development  of  the  total  nature  and  powers  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  man.  It  is  through  such  recognition  alone,  that  we  can  reach  the 
true  ground  for  philosophising  to  legitimacy,  all  the  knowledge  which  our 
faculties  are  empowered  to  reach,  in  our  present  state  of  being. 

XIV.  It  is  exclusively  through  such  recognition,  that  all  the  legitimate 
physiological  phenomena,  characterizing  the  vitality  of  human  nature, 
throuofh  all  its  variety  of  organization  and  harmoniousness  of  operation 
in  health,  will  admit  of  easy  explication,  through  legitimate  observation, 
bestowed  on  the  various  structures  and  correspondently  various  actions 
pertaining  to  it.  They  arc  all  rendered  exclusively  explicable,  through 
legitimate  observation,  directed  to  the  powers  of  innervation,  inevitably 
operating  creatingly  and  preservingly,  to  the  production  and  preservation 
of  all  the  various  organs  compositive  of  the  total  constitution;  and  gov- 
erning and  regulating  all  the  variety  of  action  constituting  it  a  beautiful 
and  harmonious  whole  system,  of  immortal  vitality,  through  the  sympa- 
thetic associations  arising  from  the  beautiful  connexions  established  be- 


IV  APPENDIX. 

tween  the  centres  of  innervation  and  all  their  subordinate  agents  of  vitality. 
They  are  all  exclusively  recognizable,  and  susceptible  of  illustration,  to 
satisfactory  demonstration,  through  observations  and  experiments  made 
on  the  modus  operandi  of  nervous  power,  in  eliciting  the  vadicles  of  re- 
production, and  germinating  them  to  fetal  maturity,  in  conducting  the  new- 
being  from  fetal  to  adult  maturity,  and  in  continuing  it  in  time,  till  its  ex- 
tinction, in  old  age. 

XV.  Nervous  power,  therefore,  is  the  whole  power  inherent  and  ine- 
vitably operative  in  the  constitution,  to  the  reception  and  elaboration,  not 
only  of  all  the  stimuli  which  are  excitative  to  its  creation,  but  to  its  growth 
to  maturity  and  continuance  in  time. 

XVI.  The  capillary  circulation  of  the  constitution,  both  externally  and 
internally  considered,  is  exclusively  receptive  of  all  the  necessarily  varied 
stimuli  of  creation  and  preservation ;  and  through  the  venous  lacteal  and 
lymphatic  circulations  thence  arising,  are  conveyed  to  all  the  organs  re- 
spectively, to  be  elaborated  by  the  arterial  circulations,  to  the  production 
of  all  the  varied  nervous  energies  characterizing  the  total  vitality  of  man  ; 
from  his  reception  of  food  and  all  other  appropriate  stimuli,  to  his  power 
for  eliciting  all  the  sentiments  and  emotions  that  prepare  him  for  everlast- 
ing existence.  All  the  physiological  phenomena,  therefore,  thus  elaborated 
to  observation,  throughout  all  their  variations,  are  attributable  to  variety 
of  structure,  effected  through  correspondent  variety  of  action,  of  the  ner- 
vous  power  composing  them. 

XVII.  Physiology,  therefore,  legitimately  unfolds  the  total  philosophy 
of  soul,  and  shows  it  to  be  exclusively  elaborated  to  greater  or  less  per- 
fection in  the  physical  organization  of  man,  according  to  the  greater  or 
less  perfection  of  the  nervous  power  exclusively  composing  it.  We  thus 
reach  the  total  science  of  human  nature,  and  through  such  knowledge 
alone,  can  we  legitimately  and  affectionately  recognise  our  intimate  rele^-i 
tipnship  with  the  Almighty  Sovereign  of  universal  nature. 


SECTION  II. 


PATHOLOGICAL  COROLLARIES. 


I.  It  is  exclusively  through  the  philosophy  of  physiology  as  we  have 
unfolded  it,  that  all  the  pathological  phenomena  can  be  legitimately  re- 
cognised as  arising  from  all  the  causes  which  interrupt  the  constitution  in 
its  reception  and  elaboration  of  salutary  stimuli,  by  deranging  its  elective 
attraction  for  them  ;  and  that,  however  variously  they  may  be  character- 
ized, from  variety  of  causation,  they  are  invariably  manifested  to  observa- 
tion, by  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  nervous  energies  of  the  part, 
or  parts  affected  by  them. 

II.  These  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  vital  powers  of  the  part 
or  parts  recipient  of  tbe  causative  agents  of  disease,  however  differently 
characterized  from  difference  of  causation, — and  whether  affecting  the 
organization  to  greater  or  less  extent,  either  primarily  or  derivatively  from 
sympathetic  association,  are  to  be  considered  exclusively  the  pathological 
phenomena,  consequently 

III.  All  irritations,  inflammations,  fevers,  spasms,  convulsions,  and  all 
other  tumultuous  agitations  of  the  vital  powers,  manifested  by  the  consti- 
tution when  diseased,  from,  or  by,  whatever  causative  agents,  are  to  be 
excluded  from  the  pathological  department  of  medicine,  where  they  have 
been  placed  with  the  utmost  exactitude,  and  made  to  conform  to  such 
knowledge,  as  has  been  erroneously  considered  scientific  for  thousands 
of  years. 

IV.  That  all  diseases  arising  from  all  causes,  are  characterized  exclu- 
sively by  depressions  and  congestions  of  the  nervous  energies  of  the  part 
or  parts  implicated  in  them  both,  primarily  and  derivatively,  through  ner- 
vous association,  is  rendered  indisputable,  through  legitimate  observation 
of  their  phenomena. 

These  phenomena  are  in  all  cases  invariably  manifested  by  debility, 
prostration  of  vital  energy,  and  loss  of  tone  of  the  parts,  both  primarily 
and  associately  affected  ;  and  are  rendered  presentive  to  observation, 
through  symptoms  which  manifest  themselves  to  philosophic  appreciation, 
in  whatever  department  of  the  organization  occurring.  Both  the  elaborat- 
ing and  absorbing  powers  of  the  part,  or  parts  affected,  are  impeded  to 


APPENDIX. 


greater  or  less  extent,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  case.  Blood  is 
prevented  from  circulating  through  the  affected  region  to  usual  assimila- 
tion ;  it  enters  the  vessels,  if  they  are  not  totally  destroyed,  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree  ;  but  not  circulating  to  usual  salutary  effect,  becomes  aggre- 
gated, both  in,  and  around,  the  diseased  region  ;  and  congestion  is  the 
inevitable  result,  viz.:  an  accumulation  and  stagnation  of  the  fluids,  both 
of  assimilation  and  absorption. 

This  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  is  the  true  state  of  the  diseased  region» 
while  it  maintains  its  nervous  energy,  however  feebly  ;  and  should  be  de- 
nominated pathological  congestion,  viz.:  such  congestion  as  characterizes 
both  the  incipient  and  progressive  condition  of  all  morbid  phenomena, 
arising  from  all  causes,  not  operative  to  the  total  destruction  of  the  ner- 
vous energies  of  the  parts  affected. 

If  the  region  implicated  in  the  disease  be  deprived  of  its  total  vitality, 
without  totally  destroying  the  organization,  an  accumulation  and  stagna- 
tion of  the  fluids  occur,  circumjacent  to  the  diseased  region,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  eliminating  the  parts  destroyed  by  the  disease,  which  should  be 
denominated  recuperative  congestion ;  so  that  congestion  of  both  kinds 
must  unavoidably  take  place,  to  greater  or  less  extent,  as  long  as  the  con- 
stitution continues  diseased,  short  of  its  total  destruction. 

V.  All  the  causative  agents  of  disease  which  are  poisonous  in  their 
composition,  act  directly  to  the  depression  and  congestion  of  nervous 
energy,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  or  totally,  according  to  their  nature, 
and  the  state  of  the  constitution  affected  by  them. 

VI.  All  the  salutary  stimuli  when  deteriorated  in  quality,  or  deficient 
in  quantity,  act  directly  to  the  depression  and  congestion  of  nervous 
power,  either  more  or  less, — partially,  or  totally,  according  to  their  na- 
ture, and  the  condition  of  the  constitution  affected  by  them. 

VII.  All  the  salutary  stimuli  when  applied  to  the  constitution,  in  excess, 
operate  indirectly  to  the  depression  and  congestion  of  nervous  energy, 
either  more  or  less  partially  or  totally,  by  debilitating  or  destroying  the 
central  radicles  of  innervation,  and  all  the  apparatus  of  assimilation  de- 
pendent on  them. 

VIII.  As  all  diseases  from  all  causes,  are  thus  characterized  by  depres- 
sions and  congestions  of  nervous  energy,  so  they  are  all  in  such  general 
sense  considered,  generically  similar ;  but,  as  they  arise  from  different 
causative  agents,  and  in  different  constitutions,  so  they  are  specifically 
different,  and  in  a  manner  philosophically  correspondent  with  such  differ- 
ences of  causation.  And  the  diseases  consequent  to  identical  causative 
agents,  are  manifested  to  be  specifically  different,  in  different  constitutions, 
from  their  reception  of  different  qualities  and  quantities  of  them,  and 
according  to  the  different  structures  of  the  organization,  invaded  by  them, 
&c.     The  gradations,  and  shades  of  gradation,  pertaining  to  diseases 


APPENDIX.  '" 

arising  from  the  same  causative  agents,  should  claim  the  paramount  atten- 
tion of  the  scientific  practitioner ;  because  it  is  exclusively  through  the 
recognition  and  appreciation  of  such  knowledge,  that  he  can  philosophic- 
ally medicate  the  therapeutical  operations  of  nature  to  eliminate  the  mor- 
bid sensibilities,  constituting  the  diseases,  arising  not  only  from  identical, 
but  dissimilar  causative  agents. 

IX.  The  remote  causes  of  all  diseases  whatever,  whether  arising  from 
agents  without  the  constitution,  or  from  such  as  are  generated  within, 
through  hereditary  vitiation,  or  depraved  elaborations  of  vitality,  from 
any  other  sources,  (however  remotely  arising  in  fact,)  arc  operative  through 
a  direct  series  of  morbid  action,  to  the  production  of  the  proximate  causes 
of  diseases,  erroneously  denominated  by  authors,  the  premonitory  symp- 
toms of  diseases,  because  they  constitute  the  diseases  themselves.  The  re- 
mote, predisposing  and  exciting  causes,  therefore,  lead  to  the  production  of 
the  proximate  causes,  the  premonitory  symptoms,  the  diseases  themselves. 
The  remote  causes  and  diseases  themselves,  possess  the  most  exclusive 
pertinency  to  the  causative  agents,  and  the  predisposing  and  exciting  to 
the  constitutions  affected  by  them.  ' 

X.  All  the  pathological  phenomena,  therefore,  arising  from  all  causes 
whatever,  are  rendered  presentive  to  observation,  through  depressions  and 
congestions  of  the  nervous  energies  of  the  part  or  parts  recipient  of  the 
causative  agents  of  disease,  from  the  most  simple  abrasion  oftheskin,tothe 
most  extensive  wounds,  and  from  the  simplest  of  the  diseases  erroneously 
denominated  febrile,  to  the  most  overwhelming  pestilences,  that  present 
to  observation  pathological  phenomena,  affecting  the  constitution  beyond 
the  power  of  recuperation. 


SECTION  III. 


RECUPERATIVE  COROLLARIES. 


I.  As  long  as  the  powers  of  Innervation  in  sound  constitutions  are 
receptive  and  elaborative  of  their  appropriately  salutary  stimuli,  so  long 
they  are  manifested  to  be  operative  to  the  production  of  all  the  healthful 
phenomena  of  vitality,  through  the  calm,  equable  and  harmonious  actions 
pertaining  to  the  total  organization,  from  the  due  reception  and  assimila- 
tion of  such  stimuli,  consequently 

II.  It  must  be  through  such  recognition  exclusively,  that  we  can,  not 
only  scientifically  investigate  all  the  deviations  from  the  salutary  con- 
dition of  the  constitution,  but  likewise  aU  the  recuperative  operations  of 
nature  to  rectify  such  deviations. 

III.  These  recuperative  operations  of  nature,  for  relieving  the  consti- 
tution of  the  diseased  conditions  consequent  to  the  operation  of  all  the 
causative  agents  of  disease,  are  manifested  by  irritations,  inflammations, 
fevers,  spasms,  convulsions,  or  other  tumultuous  agitations  of  the  vital 
powers,  either  accompanying,  or  sooner  or  later  succeeding  the  morbid 
sensibilities  occasioned  by  the  causative  agents  ;  consequently,  the  nature 
of  the  morbid  phenomena  hence  originating,  are  philosophically  indicated, 
by  the  nature  of  the  recuperative  excitations  consequentially  arising, 
therefore, 

IV.  Whenever  diseases  from  whatsoever  causes  arising,  are  not  accom- 
panied, or  sooner  or  later  succeeded,  by  recuperative  excitation,  they  are 
universally,  whether  more  or  less  locally,  or  generally,  affecting  the  sys- 
tem,  operative  to  the  extinction  of  total  vitality. 


IRRITATIVE    RECUPERATION. 

V.  Irritative  Recuperation  is  the  lowest  degree  of  recuperative  excita- 
tion, instituted  by  the  conservative  powers,  in  and  surrounding  the  region 
implicated  in  the  diseased  sensibilities,  for  the  purpose  of  eliminating 
them  from  the  constitution,  through  some  one  or  more,  of  the  secreting 
and  excreting  organs. 


APPENDIX. 


Irritation  can  in  no  case  be  philosophically  considered  a  characteristic 
of  healthy  vitality  ;  but  is  universally  a  recuperative  excitation,  raised  by 
the  conservative  powers  of  nature,  either  for  preventing  the  entrance  of 
the  causative  agents  of  diseases,  or  after  they  have  effected  their  entrance, 
and  commenced  their  ravaging  operations,  for  eliminating  them  from  the 
constitution,  through  some  one  or  more  of  the  organs  of  depuration. 

The  lowest  grades  and  shades  of  morbid  action,  are  eliminated  exclu- 
sively through  irritative  recuperation,  as  may  be  well  exemplified  through 
philosophic  observation  bestowed  on  many  of  the  cutaneous  and  eruptive 
diseases,  and  on  many  of  the  diseases  affecting  the  same  structure  inter- 
nally, diarrhoeas,  ordinary  choleras,  &c.  Such  irritative  recuperation  is 
manifested  both  in  strong  and  weak  constitutions,  when  slightly  diseased, 
from  whatever  causes. 

It  is  also  often  manifested  in  such  constitutions,  when  affected  witii  the 
highest  grades  and  shades  of  diseases,  because  the  conservative  povvers 
are  prostrated  beyond  the  capacity  of  instituting  such  salutary  irritation, 
or  inflaramition,  or  fever,  as  characterize  the  lower  and  medical  grades  of 
diseases  ; — the  recuperative  excitations  consequently  raised  in  constitu- 
tions thus  prostrated,  are  of  the  irritative  species,  but  feeb'e  and  ineffect- 
ual, and  frequently  characterized  by  the  supervention  of  subsultus,  spasm, 
&c.,  and  with  difficulty  rendered  operative  to  elimination,  through  the 
most  scientific  medication. 

If  irritative  recuperation,  when  instituted  for  eliminating  the  lower 
grades  of  morbid  sensibilities,  be,  even  when  aided  by  scientific  medica- 
tion, unable  to  effect  it;  then  the  irritative  passes  into  the  inflammatory, 
and  under  appropriate  medication,  may  effect  elimination  through  resolu- 
tion, or  suppuration,  or  gangrene,  or  some  of  the  anomalous  terminations  : 
and  if  the  inflammatory  recuperation  be  insufiicient,  febrific  recuperation 
is  instituted  for  aiding  the  local  in  their  efforts  to  effect  elimination,  through 
the  usual  emunctories.  The  recuperative  excitations  consequential  to  the 
lower  and  medial  grades  and  shades  of  diseases,  are  active  in  their  nature 
and  operation,  and  generally  need  nothing  more  than  scientific  direction, 
to  enable  them  to  progress  to  elimination  ;  but  the  recuperative  energies 
consequential  to  the  highest  grades  and  shades  of  diseases  arising  from 
pestilential  causation,  &c. — are  passive  and  inactive  in  their  nature,  and 
operation,  and  need  such  medication  as  will  convert  them  into  active  re- 
cuperation, by  relieving  the  constitution  sufficiently  from  prostration,  to 
permit  its  recuperating  energies  to  be  unfolded  and  conducted  by  the  con- 
tinuance of  scientific  medication,  to  effective  elimination. 

As  all  diseases,  from  all  causes,  are  more  or  less  local,  so  is  recupera- 
tion primarily  considered,  more  or  less  so :  irritation  and  inflammation 
are  the  primary  recuperations  consequential  to  all  morbid  conditions,  from 
whatsoever  sources  arising;  and  they  pass  into  the  febrific  through  ner- 
.32 


X  APPENDIX. 

vous  association,  with  the  central  radicles  of  vitality,  which  institute  either 
directly  or  indirectly  all  the  general  and  local  recuperations. 

INFLAMMATORY    RECUPERATION, 

Is  characterized  by  a  more  intense  degree  of  recuperative  action, 
than  the  irritative,  more  localized,  fixed  and  concentrated,  and  is  produc- 
tive of  legitimate  elimination,  through  resolution,  or  suppuration ;  and  of 
illegitimate,  througli  some  of  the  anomalous  terminations,  or  gangrene, 
or  total  destruction  of  the  vitality  of  some  part,  or  the  whole  of  the  dis- 
eased region. 

Diseases  arising  from  the  more  ordinary  causes  in  constitutions  previ- 
ously sound,  are  in  general  legitimately  eliminated  through  resolution  or 
suppuration,  by  inflammatory  recuperation  exclusively,  or  by  the  inflam- 
matory and  febrific  ;  but  those  arising  from  malignant  causes  and  affect- 
ing debilitated  and  vitiated  constitutions,  are  in  general  primarily  elimin- 
ated imperfectly,  through  gangrene,  or  some  of  the  anomalous  terminations ; 
for  the  removal  of  which,  if  practicable,  nature  or  medication,  or  both, 
must  institute  a  secondary  series  of  appropriate  recuperation. 

This  inflammatory  recuperation  may  be  restrictedly  local,  and  operative 
to  legitimate  or  illegitimate  elimination  ;  or  the  morbid  condition  of  the 
part  or  pnrts  affected,  may  be  too  concentrated  and  potent,  to  be  subdued 
by  local  recuperation ;  in  which  case,  the  radicals  of  innervation  institute 
general  or  febrific  recuperation,  to  aid  the  local  recuperation  to  progress 
to  elimination. 

Both  the  local  and  general  recuperations  are  different,  as  arising  from 
different  morbid  conditions,  and  they  are  different,  as  arising  from  morbid 
conditions,  aflTecting  the  different  structures  of  the  organization;  idiosy- 
crasy  of  organization,  and  vitiation  of  it  from  any  sources  arising,  modify 
both  the  morbid  conditions,  and  recuperative  excitations  accordingly. 


FEBRIFIC    RECUPERATION, 

Is  always  consequential  to  the  irritative  and  inffammatory,  never  ante- 
cedent to  it, — because,  however  extensively  diseases  may  be  inflicted  on, 
or  in,  the  constitution  by  causative  agents,  they  are  in  no  cases  inflicted 
on  the  total  constitution,  both  internally  and  externally  considered  ;  for 
in  the  most  extensive  wounds  and  bruises,  fractures,  dislocations,  aneu- 
risms, &LC., — and  under  the  most  concentrated  effects  of  the  most  virulent 
poisons,  and  such  as  originate  Yellow  Fevers,  Plagues,  Choleras,  &c., — 
there  is  a  higher  or  lower,  or  more  or  less  efficient  local  recuperation,  es- 
tablished by  the  conservative  powers,  and  more  or  less  febrific  recupera- 


APPENDIX.  XI 

tion,  sooner  or  later  succeeding  it ;  according  to  the  greater  or  less 
power  of  the  central  radicles  of  nervous  power,  to  institute  them.  As 
long  as  life  lasts,  however  feebly  it  may  be  manifested  in  its  diseased 
condition,  recuperation  in  some  form  or  other,  is  recognised  to  be  opera- 
tive through  its  usual  symptoms.  Recuperation  cannot  cease  entirely,  till 
life  be  extinct ;  for  however  feebly  life  may  be  manifested,  it  is  so  mani- 
fested through  the  reception  and  elaboration  of  vital  stimuli, — therefore, 
as  long  as  elaboration  continues,  however  feebly,  recuperation  is  raised 
for  eliminating  the  morbid  sensibilities.  Hence  the  scientific  practitioner 
of  medicine,  will  never  relinquish  his  efforts  to  lessen  and  subdue  morbid 
sensibilities,  that  he  may  raise  and  strengthen  the  recuperative  efforts  of 
nature,  to  eliminate  them. 

SPASMODIC  AND  CONVULSIVE  RECUPERATION. 

All  the  morbid  phenomena  consequent  to  all  the  causative  agents  of 
disease,  are  eliminated  from  the  constitution  exclusively,  through  the  re- 
cuperative agencies  of  irritation,  inflammation,  and  fever. 

Either  irritations  or  inflammations,  are  the  primary  forms  of  recupera- 
tion, raised  by  the  conservative  powers  in  diseases,  arising  from  all 
sources  whatsoever,  and  when  these  are  insufficient  to  eliminate  the  mor- 
bid conditions,  febrific  recuperation  is  instituted  for  the  purpose,  by  the 
central  powers  of  innervation.  These  three  modes  of  recuperation,  con- 
stitute the  only  legitimate  agents  for  eliminating  all  diseases. 

Consequently,  spasms  and  convulsions,  throughout  all  their  combinations 
and  variations,  are  consequential  to  such  intense  injuries  inflicted  on  the 
constitution,  as  preclude  it  from  instituting  any  of  these  legitimate  modes 
of  recuperation,  to  any  salutary  effect.  They  are  in  all  cases,  exertions 
of  such  conservative  power  as  remains  operative  in  the  constitution  ;  but 
they  are  in  all  cases,  abortive  exertions, — illegitimate  recuperative  excita- 
tions,— incapable  in  all  cases,  of  effecting  elimination  of  the  morbid  sensi- 
bilities antecedent  to,  and  originating  them.  The  diseased  conditions 
from  whatsoever  sources  originating,  that  are  succeeded  by  these  spasms 
and  convulsions,  are  so  depressive  of  the  nervous  energies  of  assimila- 
tions, that  the  central  radicles  of  vitality  are  incapable  of  exerting  them- 
selves regularly,  and  in  an  equable  and  continued  manner,  to  the  produc- 
tion of  any  of  the  modes  of  salutary  recuperation ;  their  powers  are, 
therefore,  exerted  occasionally,  and  in  a  spasmodic  and  convulsive  manner, 
and  during  the  intermissions  from  such  exertions,  the  principal  agents  of 
assimilation,  viz  :  respiration,  sanguification,  &.c. — arc  performed  in  a 
tumultuous  and  irregular  and  spasmodic  manner,  essentially  differing  from 
legitimate  recuperation. 


Xll  APPENDIX. 

These  spasmodic  and  convulsive  operations  for  relieving  the  constitu- 
tion of  morbid  sensibility,  are  differently  characterized,  as  arising  from 
different  causes,  in  different  constitutions,  and  in  the  different  structures 
of  the  constitution,  &c. — and  the  different  morbid  states  of  the  system 
from  whence  they  originate,  must  be  so  far  lessened  and  subdued  by  ap- 
propriate medication,  tliat  the  centres  of  innervation  may  unfold  their 
powers  to  the  production  of  the  legitimate  agencies  of  elimination. 


SECTION  IV, 


MEDICATION. 

I.  It  is  the  exclusive  office  of  all  medication,  cither  to  prevent  the 
entrance  and  fixity  of  the  morbid  sensibilities  consequential  to  the  inva- 
sion of  the  causative  agents  of  diseases,  or  after  they  have  entered,  to 
impede  their  ravaging  progress,  by  assisting  and  directing  the  recupera- 
tive  excitations  of  nature,  to  subdue  and  eliminate  them  from  the  consti- 
tution, through  its  secretory  and  excretory  apparatus. 

II.  All  the  slightest  grades  and  shades  of  diseases,  arising  from  all 
causes,  are  eliminated  from  the  constitution  by  the  recuperative  excitations 
of  nature ;  or  if  any  medication  be  resorted  to,  for  directing  their  efforts, 
it  should  invariably  consist  of  the  mildest  species  of  stimulants.  Hence 
the  Broussaian  plan  of  medication  may  be  considered  as  applicable  and 
available  in  eliminating  all  the  mildest  grades  of  diseases,  and  no  other, 
because  such  plan  is  erected  on  erroneous  views  of  the  constitution  of 
human  nature,  either  in  its  healthy  or  diseased  state,  and  because  it  is 
totally  useless  in  the  treatment  of  all  the  higher  grades  of  diseases,  for 
reasons  too  obvious  to  mention. 

III.  All  the  medial  grades  and  shades  of  diseases  whether  occurring  in 
strong  or  weak  constitutions,  are  characterized  by  an  ardent  contention 
for  mastery,  between  the  morbid  sensibilities,  and  recuperative  excitations ; 
and  it  is  the  exclusive  office  of  medication  to  lessen,  subdue,  and  elimin- 
ate the  morbid  sensibilities,  by  scientifically  controlling  and  directing  the 
recuperative  excitations.  Both  the  primary  and  associate  depressions  and 
congestions  of  nervous  energy,  are  to  be  impeded  in  their  progress,  and 
lessened  by  appropriate  medication,  and  the  primary  and  secondary  re- 
cuperative excitations,  are  to  be  so  appropriately  controlled  and  directed 
that  they  may  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  through  tlieir  respectively 
legitimate  emunctories.  As  the  pathological  and  recuperative  congestions, 
are  primarily  more  or  less  local ;  and  as  they  are  characterized  by  conten- 
tion for  mastery  over  each  other,  from  the  primary  invasion  of  the  causa- 
tive agents  ;  so  it  is  the  office  of  medication,  to  prevent  the  extension  of 
the  pathological  phenomena,  by  scientifically  controlling  and  directing 
the  recuperative  powers,  to  attain  the  mastery,  and  eliminate  the  morbid 


XIV  APPENDIX. 

phenomena  through  the  legitimate  depuratory  apparatus  of  the  organiza- 
tion. Therefore,  such  elaborating  energies  as  are  in  the  power  of  the 
organiziation  to  institute,  must  be  medicated  in  such  scientific  manner,  as 
will  strengthen  the  absorbent  apparatus  of  tlie  organization  generally  and 
specially,  to  tlie  production  of  such  healthful  powers  of  elective  attraction, 
for  salutary  stimuli,  as. may  serve  not  only  to  prevent  the  further  exten- 
sion of  the  morbid  sensibilities,  but  to  lessen  and  eliminate  them  through 
the  appropriate  depuratory  apparatus. 

IV.  The  highest  grades  and  shades  of  diseases  are  characterized  by 
deep,  concentrated,  extensive  morbid  sensibilities ;  consequently,  the 
conservative  powers  existent  in  constitutions  thus  affected,  are  incapable 
of  raising  any  of  the  salutary  recuperations  to  any  available  extent ;  they 
are  consequently  characterized  by  such  feeble  and  inefficient  irritations, 
inflammations,  and  fevers,  or  spasms,  convulsions,  subsultues,  tendinum, 
&c.,  as  require  all  the  legitimate  resources  of  philosophy,  to  render  them 
eliminative  of  such  morbid  sensibilities  as  originate  them. 

This  general  view  of  the  morbid  and  recuperative  phenomena,  will 
clearly  furnish  to  every  scientific  practitioner  of  medicine,  the  indications 
to  be  fulfilled  in  the  treatment  of  all  diseases,  arising  from  all  causes, 
however  differently  they  may  be  exhibited  to  observation,  from  causative 
differences  in  the  morbid  agents,  and  the  constitutions  affected  by  them. 

V.  These  indications  are  all  to  be  fulfilled  by  stinmlant  medicinal  agents, 
because  there  are  no  sedative  agents  made  by  nature,  or  art,  consequently, 
the  Materia  Medica  admits  of  no  classification  of  the  substances  used 
for  medicating  diseases,  to  elimination,  either  by  raising  or  depressing,  or 
controlling  and  regulating,  such  recuperative  excitations  as  are  raised  by 
the  vis  med.  nat. 

VI.  If  any  classification  be  admissible,  it  must  consist  of  as  many 
classes,  as  there  are,  or  may  be,  of  generic  substances,  as  are,  or  may  be, 
used  as  medicines. 

VII.  However  generically  and  specifically  different,  medicines  may  be 
made  by  nature  or  art,  they  all  act  stimulantly,  in  a  manner  corresponding 
with  such  differences,  whether  applied  externally  or  internally, — to  organi- 
zations similar  in  construction  by  nature,  and  similar  in  deviations  from 
health,  by  disease. 

VIII.  All  the  stimuli  which  are  made  by  nature,  or  prepared  by  art, 
that  are  harmoniously  received  into  the  constitution,  through  its  absorbent 
apparatus,  and  elaborated  to  healthy  vitality  ;  are  to  be  considered  nutrient 
substances,  and  therefore,  many  of  them  may  be  usefully  appropriated  as 
auxiliaries  to  medication.  And  all  substances  not  thus  received  harmo- 
niously, must  therefore  be  considered,  as  acting  deleteriously  and  causa- 
tive of  disease. 

IX.  All  medicating  agents  act  stimulantly,  whether  they  master  the 


APPENDIX. 


elective  attraction  for  salutary  stimuli,  and  thereby  enter  the  capillary,  or 
general  circulations,  or  not ;  and  in  either  case,  recuperative  excitations 
are  raised  for  expelling-  them  from  the  constitution. 

X.  Medicines,  therefore,  produce  counter  recuperation,  increase  and 
extend  the  recuperative  efforts  of  the  organization,  to  the  production  of 
requisite  secretion  and  excretion  ;  and  consequently  assist  the  recupera- 
tive exertions  made  by  nature  to  eliminate  diseases. 

XI.  All  the  effective  agents  of  medication  are  consequently  more  or 
less  poisonous,  in  their  composition  and  action,  on,  or  in  the  organization, 
according  to  their  nature  and  application  ;  and  consequently  in  larger  or 
smaller  quantities,  according  to  their  respectively  poisonous  natures,  may 
be  destructive  of  either  partial  or  total  vitality. 

XII.  Consequently,  all  effective  medication  may  be  legitimately  denom- 
inated antidotal  medication. 

XIII.  And  consequently,  all  natural  or  artificial  substances  used  in 
medication,  that  do  not  act  poisonously,  on,  or  in  the  organization,  but 
are  harmoniously  received  and  elaborated  to  healthy  assimilation,  may  be 
legitimately  considered,  as  constituting  dietetic  medication,  because  they 
strengthen,  increase,  and  extend,  both  the  recuperative  excitations  of 
nature,  and  such  as  arc  raised  by  antidotal  medication. 

XIV.  Therefore,  the  nature  of  the  pathological  phenomena,  and  recu- 
perative excitations,  being  subjected  to  legitimately  philosophical  observa- 
tion, through  due  appreciation  of  the  symptoms  respectively  characteriz- 
ing them, — such  medicating  agents,  both  of  the  antidotal,  and  dietetic 
kind,  are  to  be  selected  and  applied,  or  exhibited,  in  such  quantities,  and 
at  such  times,  as  may  in  appropriate  degree,  most  effectively  assist,  the 
recuperative  powers  of  nature,  to  eliminate  the  morbid  sensibilities  through 
the  legitimate  secretory  and  excretory  apparatus  of  the  organization. 

We  have  thus  enumerated  some  of  the  principal  propositions  conse- 
quential to  the  premises  supporting  the  preceding  Work,  and  its  Intro- 
duction,— sufficient  to  demonstrate  to  the  philosophic  mind,  that  our 
fundamental  and  derivative  propositions  legitimately  develop,  neither 
more  nor  less,  but  completely,  all  the  principles  that  are  necessary  to  be 
studied  and  scientifically  applied,  for  subjecting  all  the  branches  of  medical 
science  to  intuitive  demonstration. 

And  we  have  thus  subjected  all  the  medical  sciences  to  intuitive  demon- 
stration, by  proving  to  all  satisfactory  demonstration,  that  the  history  of 
human  nature,  is  the  history  of  the  creation  and  preservation  of  the  ner- 
vous power,  exclusively  supporting  it  in  time, — that  it  may  be  legitimately 
prepared  for  eternity. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

Biology  Lalbirairy 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subjea  to  immediate  recall. 

Ar::ri.v.7 

DEC  1  4  1970  i.  1 

' 

General  Library 
LD  21-50wi-8,'57                                  University  of  California 
(.C8481sl0)476                                                  Berkeley 

